The Lichens of Scotts Bluff National Monument and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: Final report

1 PDF computer file (19 pages and 2 maps)This study of the lichens of Scotts Bluff and Agate Fossil Beds National Monuments was designed 1) to collect lichens for lichen species lists, and, 2) to collect lichens for elemental analysis (if suitable species occurred) . Each park is treated in a separate section of this report. Fifteen localities were studied in Scotts Bluff and eleven in Agate Fossil Beds. No suitable species were found in either park for elemental analysis. The lichen floras are reasonably diverse for such dry areas. There were 65 species present in Scotts Bluff and 64 species present in Agate Fossil Beds. All of the lichens found were in good health and with normal fertility. There seemed to be no indications of threatening air quality problems (primarily from sulfur dioxide) in these parks. Recommendations are for a complete lichen restudy of the lichen flora every 10-15 years. Localities with numerous rare lichens should receive special protection to prevent loss of species. If construction or maintenance activities are planned within these areas a lichenologist should be consulted to prevent loss of critical habitats and species.National Park Service and Biological Resources Division U. S. Geological Survey Purchase Order #84040-7-022