I. Identification of Zones and Stations
1.Using Google Earth, determine what locations you are willing to test at.
2.Locate only areas that have an abundance of trees and will be easily survey.
3.Identify a three different zones: Zone 1 should be in an area with much industrial activity such as factories, highways or cities; Zone 2 should be in an area with some contact to industries, but should be at least 5 miles from the nearest factory or city; Zone 3 should be in an area with little to no contact with industries and should be easily identified as being in a “rural area.”
4.Using either Map Quest or Google Earth, circle each Zone in colors unique to each zone.
5.Identify six stations for each zone where collection and surveying will be done.
6.Determine that each station contains the same number of acceptable trees and is within each zone.
7.Using either Map Quest or Google Earth, circle each station in colors unique to each zone. (These colors should differ from those used for zone identification.)
8.Using Google Earth identify wind direction in order to determine which way pollutant emissions are being carried to zones and stations.
9.Using a GPS receiver, determining exact collecting location.
II. Locating Proper Tree Types
1.Identify trees with a “tree book” (i.e. Knowing Your Trees)
2.Record types and number of trees in each station to be surveyed.
3.Count number of valid trees (should be 30 to 105 circumference) in each station.
4. Determine that each station contains the same number of acceptable trees and is within each zone.
5. Determining Valid Tree Type: the trees to be surveyed should receive sunlight, should not have vines growing on them, and should not have fissured or slightly scaly bark.
III. Collecting Lichens
1.Tie brightly colored surveyors' tape to each individual tool to ensure that the tool will not be lost.
2.Take survey of lichen population in area to be studied.
3.While focusing on one tree at a time, record the amount of lichen abundance seen on each tree.
4.Section the tree off into four individual 4 by 4 squares.
5.Measure the amount of lichens with mature, fertile thalli present in each square.
6.Locate healthy specimens that are without discoloration. Lichens that have been infected are much harder to identify and they make poor reference specimens.
7.Using a 7x or 10x magnifier determine whether or not the lichen is to be collected.
8.Using a small spray bottle containing water, spray thalli in order to ensure prevent breakage of specimen during removal from its substrate.
9.Using a sheath knife to ensure safety, slice the bark on which the specimen is located; cutting too deep into the substrate will break the substrate, damaging the specimen.
10.Place all specimens in individual, low acid or acid free envelopes or folded packets made of wax paper or acid free paper.
11.While collecting, the substrate, collection date, zone, station, country, state, county, and directions to the collecting site including latitude/longitude should be recorded in a log book or field journal, along with on specimen bags.
12.Thoroughly air dry collections immediately after collection in order to prevent premature rotting.
13.After drying, freeze lichens for five days at -20° C (-5° F). In order to rid the lichen specimen of all arthropods located within the thalli without damaging the lichens.
IV. Identification of Lichens
1.Compare species to key with microscope or magnifying glass.
2.Check identifications with a lichenologist.
3.After identification, transfer each lichen to a permanent packet folded from acid-free paper with 25% or higher rag content. Attach an acid-free label with the species name and the field information recorded previously. Keep for future reference.
4.Estimate which zone had more or less lichens.
