Quantifying Lichen Community Composition, Nitrogen Content, and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Composition to Assess Nitrogen Critical Loads at North Cascades National Park Service Complex

Project ID: P18AC00927

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Washington State University

Fiscal Year: 2018

Initial Funding: $61,908

Total Funding: $83,958

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: North Coast and Cascades Network Inventory & Monitoring

Principal Investigator: Evans, R. David

Agreement Technical Representative: Felker-Quinn, Emmi

Abstract: NPS staff located in NOCA, the NCCN I&M Program, the Pacific West Region, and the Air Resources Division will collaborate with WSU scientists to collect and analyze lichen data in order to: 1) determine the extent to which park lichens are being affected by N deposition, and 2) identify the predominant types of sources of N emissions that affect the park. When long-term Forest Monitoring plots are re-surveyed at NOCA in 2018, WSU scientists will accompany I&M field crews and will follow FIA protocols to assess lichen community composition and will also collect lichen samples for chemical analysis. In 2019, WSU scientists will conduct lichen surveys and sampling at additional locations throughout the park to ensure the lichen data have appropriate spatial distribution. Lichen samples will be analyzed for N content and stable isotope composition at the WSU Stable Isotope Core Facility. WSU scientists will assess lichen community data based on FIA criteria for N sensitivity. For more information about the project, see the Budget (Attachment A). Results will be provided in a final project report or peer-reviewed journal article and a Ph.D. dissertation.

This project will further inform NPS efforts to determine the sensitivity of Pacific Northwest park resources to N deposition. To assess the threat from air pollution, the NPS supports the use of critical loads. A critical load is the quantitative estimate of exposure to a pollutant below which significant harmful environmental effects do not occur. Understanding the level of N that affects resources, and where sensitive resources are located, informs management decisions regarding external regulatory actions, as well as internal decisions related to wilderness planning, infrastructure, and recreation