Herbarium of Non-vascular Cryptogams

Specimens: 108,000+ Type specimens: 125 Major groups represented: lichens bryophytes (moss) non-lichenized fungi cyanobacteria algae

This collection contains over 100,000 specimens including – non-lichenized fungi, fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, and bryophytes.  Research efforts in connection with the collection involve the use of lichens as bioindicators of air quality and the ecology and restoration of soil crust communities.  More than 60 papers in scientific journals have been published based on the collection and in 1999 the curator published “A Color Guidebook to Common Rocky Mountain Lichens” containing basic information about lichens, keys, and almost 200 color images of lichens.  The collection also includes an archival collection of lichen elemental analysis samples dating from 1980 and consisting of more than 1100 samples from more than 450 sites in the Intermountain Western United States.

Current research projects include biomonitoring of air quality using lichens and reclamation of biological soil crust communities.

This collection is home to Evansia, one of two publications sponsored by the American Bryological and Lichenological Society. The ABLS Lichen Exchange is also managed here.

IAL6 Northern Coastal California Field Trip

ABLS Lichen Exchange