Experimental studies of epixylic bryophytes require stable, biologically inactive substrata with physical properties that mimic those of coarse decayed wood. In two preliminary tests, we compared three synthetic logs (made from upholstery wadding, mattress foam, and floral foam) to decayed natural logs, in terms of their physical properties, moisture transmission, and ability to support growth of Dicranum flagellare in the laboratory. We also tested the effects of clumped vs. smeared propagule application on growth response. Vegetative moss propagules (flagellae and dried gametophore fragments) were applied as clumps or smears with nutrient agar gel, and evaluated as to horizontal expansion, vertical growth and dry weight of new growth over 6 months. Synthetic logs had higher porosity and lower density than natural logs, but showed similar moisture transmission capabilities to each other and to natural logs when moisture was supplied from the base. Nevertheless, surficial water potentials were consistently less than -5 MPa, and were therefore incapable of supporting bryophyte growth without applying liquid water from above. Horizontal expansion of D. flagellare was greatest with a smear application on floral foam logs, but vertical growth was greatest on upholstery wadding logs with a clumped application. Although floral foam (substratum) and smear (application) produced the greatest new shoot growth, observations suggest that the moss may allocate more growth to rhizoids on more penetrable substrata (those with a larger mean pore size). Future studies must modify the structure of synthetic substrate units to more closely mimic the moisture-related characteristics of rotting wood of target species, and further isolate the components of bryophyte growth.

The bryicolous lichen Ameliella andreaeicola is reported for only the second and third times from North America and new to the U.S. from Mitkof Island and Katmai National Preserve, Alaska. Its original discovery in Canada and rediscovery in Alaska are described, along with a note on its disjunct distribution.

The results of a floristic study of lichens in Portage County, Wisconsin are presented. A total of 180 species in 73 genera were identified from field collections made in 2010 through 2013. A catalogue of species is included with 208 lichens presented as a result of field work, a literature search for previously reported collections and a physical search of the Wisconsin State Herbarium (WIS). There are 115 new records for the county and the following three species are reported for the first time for the State of Wisconsin: Leptogium rivulare, Heterodermia obscurata, and Peltigera extenuata. In addition to state and county records, two lichens of significant ecological interest were collected during this study; Lobaria pulmonaria, and Normandina pulchella.

The most recent checklist of Pennsylvania mosses credits the Commonwealth with 443 taxa. In that list Montour County, the smallest county in Pennsylvania, has 19 mosses attributed to it. The most recent account of the liverworts and hornworts of Pennsylvania lists 147 taxa from the Commonwealth, but only five liverworts from Montour County. As a result of recent fieldwork in Montour County, an additional 45 moss and two liverwort species have been found in the county. New county mosses of interest include Brachythecium falcatum, Helodium elodioides, Lindbergia brachyptera, Syntrichia papillosa, and S. ruralis. In addition, six mosses previously known from Montour County only in literature reports were collected. Voucher specimens for all bryophytes reported here are deposited in MO. Currently, 64 moss and seven liverwort taxa have been verified or reported in the literature from Montour County.

We present a substantially revised and updated lichen flora for Denali National Park and Preserve (DNPP) based on a series of field investigations conducted from 2001 to 2011. During this period, we increased the number of lichen taxa recorded in DNPP by 175 species through new collections made at 46 inventory sites and 44 vegetation monitoring study areas within the 2.4 million ha DNPP. The revised checklist we present here includes 459 taxa (in 158 genera) that occur in DNPP. We discuss the major lichen community composition patterns in this vast and previously under-studied region, and provide notes for 24 of the most noteworthy taxa discovered during our fieldwork, including geographic and ecological summaries. We identify remaining knowledge gaps and needs for future lichen inventory work in DNPP, including surveys for microlichens.