The Lichens of Knife River Indian Villages and Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Sites : Final Report.

Abstract

This study of the lichens of Knife River Indian Villages and Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Sites was designed to collect lichens for lichen species lists and to collect lichens for elemental analysis (if suitable species occurred). Each park is treated in a separate section of this report. Ten localities were studied in Knife River and four in Fort Union. No suitable species were found in either park for elemental analysis. The lichen floras are reasonably diverse for each area. There were 46 species present in Knife River and 41 species present in Fort Union. One locality in Fort Union was especially rich (Bodmer Overlook) and should be protected. 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. If construction or maintenance activities are planned within these areas a lichenologist should be consulted to prevent loss of critical habitats and species.