Lichens and Air Quality in Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, Ohio

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Abstract
Lichens were collected at numerous localities in Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area and compared with species lists for Cuyahoga and Summit counties to document changes in the lichen flora since 1920. There are no historical collections from the park but habitats similar to those studied by early collectors are present in the park today. The present lichen flora has 65 species, including 34 new records for the area. Of the 151 species recorded for the two counties between 1895 and 1917, only 31 were found during this study (21%). None of the species most sensitive to sulfur dioxide were found, nor were any of the cyanophilic lichens reported earlier. The lichens remaining are often small frequently with dead parts or distorted growth. Elemental analysis of Parmelia rudecta showed high sulfur levels. It is proposed that poor air quality has destroyed 79% of the historical lichen flora of the park. Thelidium parvulum Arn. is reported for the first time from North America.

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