Lichens of Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, with Emphasis on the Impact of Caribou Grazing

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Abstract
Anaktuvuk Pass in the central Brooks Range of northern Alaska provides a major migration route for the western arctic caribou herd. A portion of the herd overwintered in the Anaktuvuk Pass area 8 yr prior to sampling. Caribou grazing results in the almost complete removal of macrolichens in grazed areas and this is followed by the invasion of crustose and squamulose species. An analysis by species biomass composition for grazed and nongrazed areas on both north and south slope exposures reveals a lichen composition of 31 spp., with Cladonia stellaris, C. rangiferina, C. arbuscula and C. mitis being the most common and present in almost equal abundance on both exposures. In addition, 288 spp. in 71 genera are reported for the Anaktuvuk Pass area. Aspicilia plicigera comb. nov. [Lecanora plicigera Zahlbr.] is reported new to North America; A. sublapponica comb. nov. [L. sublapponica Zahlbr.] is noted.