Establishment of Lichens in Glacial Recession Zones
Principal Investigator: Fahselt, D. (2)
Licence Number: 11088
Organization: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Western Ontario
Licensed Year(s): 1992 1991 1990
Issued: Jan 01, 1991
Project Team: Prof. John D. Jacobs; Dr. Richard Heron; assistants

Objective(s): To observe conditions in the glacial recession zone on the NW margin of the Barnes Ice Cap and to relate these to the ease with which re-establishment of lichen communities can occur; to assess the evolutionary potential of umbilicate lichen species (rock tripe) near the Barnes Ice Cap; to survey the reproductive strategies of successful lichen species in cold, dry environments near the glacier front;

Project Description: Samples of all colonizing lichen species will be collected, identified and examined for apothecal and spore production. Photographic records will be taken. Samples of umbilicate lichens will be collected and later analyzed for genetic variability. Temperature gradients will be established and distances from first establishment to ice mass will be measured.