Arctic-alpine and montane mosses are an important component of the flora in the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, where many species are rare or disjunct from the Arctic or the Western Cordillera. This paper presents an annotated list for 83 species as documentation for conservation work and future studies. Encalypta alpina, Plagiobryum demissum, and Pohlia atropurpurea are reported new for the region. Trichostomum arcticum is reported new for Newfoundland. Occurrence in the Gulf region, global distribution, literature references, and conservation status are given for all taxa.

Climbing and bouldering are popular recreational activities in West Virginia, especially on the Pottsville conglomerate caprock at Coopers Rock and at the New River Gorge National River. We propose using a simple force-meter to measure the tenacity (adherence) of bryophytes and lichens to help us understand which bryophytes and lichens are more vulnerable to removal by climbing route preparation (rock “cleaning”) or accidental dislodging. In this preliminary study we found that lantern moss (Andreaea rothiii) is held relatively tightly, probably benefitting more weakly attached species such as the liverwort Diplophyllum apiculatum, which commonly grow epiphytically on A. rothii. Leucobryum glaucum was very weakly attached, although it is very common on bouldering and climbing sites. The umbilicate lichens Umbilicaria mammulata (smooth rock tripe) and Lasallia papulosa (common toadskin) were more tenacious than lantern moss and hosted various epiphytic and epizoic species. However, the loss of extensive rock tripe colonies (with fragile thalli contrasting to relatively sturdy umbilici) is often one of the most visible consequences of climbing. Since our force-meter only works for mature thalli, we recommend that future studies also investigate the tenacity of propagula, complemented by studies of regeneration from fragments (notably lichen umbilici and bryophyte rhizoids). Long-term studies with different experimental disturbance regimes are needed to fully evaluate climbing impacts on bryophyte-lichen communities.

Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis (old-growth specklebelly lichen) is found on the west coast of Canada and the USA from Oregon to southeast Alaska. Our study examined old-growth coniferous forests on Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland coast of British Columbia to determine its relative abundance, distribution and habitat preferences. We hypothesized greater frequency of P. rainierensis in this region because of limited prior surveys. We searched 119 sites representing potential habitat within 18 watersheds, recorded detailed habitat observations and collected voucher specimens. We documented 44 new localities (>1km apart) for this species, which was known from only 17 previous localities. Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis occurred across a range of plant associations but was most abundant on nutrient-rich, middle to lower slope positions or microsites. Its occurrence was associated with Callitropsis nootkatensis on many sites. Although P. rainierensis was most abundant on Abies amabilis trunks, it was found on six conifer species.