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Surrogates for macrofungi and mosses in reservation planning
Sapphire J M McMullan-Fisher1, Jamie B Kirkpatrick, Tom W May
1School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. sapphire@flyangler.com.au
Summary
Conservation planning for cryptogams is challenging due to poor taxonomic knowledge. Vascular plant composition and vegetation type show promise as effective surrogates for reserving mosses and macrofungi.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Botany
Background:
- Cryptogam (mosses and macrofungi) conservation planning is hindered by insufficient data on taxonomy and distribution.
- Surrogate approaches using well-documented taxa or environmental factors are needed for effective reserve design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if vegetation type, vascular plant composition, and environmental variables can serve as effective surrogates for cryptogam conservation in reserve planning.
- To assess the predictive power of these surrogates for cryptogam species composition.
Main Methods:
- Inventory data from four distinct Tasmanian vegetation types were analyzed.
- Relationships between cryptogam composition, vascular plant composition, and environmental variables were tested.
- Optimization routines were used to select sites based on vascular plant representation, assessing cryptogam capture.
Main Results:
- Vegetation types were distinct in their taxon composition for vascular plants, mosses, and macrofungi.
- Vascular plant and woody plant taxon composition were the strongest predictors of moss and macrofungi composition.
- Random site selection stratified by vegetation type captured more cryptogams than selection based on vascular plants at the 10% level.
Conclusions:
- Vascular plant composition, vegetation type, and environmental factors show potential as surrogates for conserving common cryptogams.
- Integrating these surrogates into reserve planning can improve the representation of cryptogams in conservation areas.
- Further research is needed to refine surrogate effectiveness for diverse cryptogam groups.
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