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Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation AreaMinutes Away. Worlds Apart.
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Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
The Lichens and Bryophytes of the Boston Harbor Islands
Scott Lagreca
Elisabeth Lay
Douglas Greene
Elizabeth Kneiper
Mary Lincoln
 
Publishied in Northeastern Naturalist: Vol. 12, No. sp3, pp. 77–98

A survey of the Boston Harbor Islands national park area yielded 175 lichen species in 67 genera, and 70 bryophyte species in 44 genera. Ten percent of the lichens represent a maritime floristic element, and 4% represent a coastal plain element. Caloplaca verruculifera, an orange lichen of rocky shores, is reported new for Massachusetts. Human disturbance and air pollution seem to be the major factors limiting the colonization of lichens and bryophytes on the islands, and specific recommendations for protecting sensitive lichen and bryophyte communities are presented.

Nixes Mate  

Did You Know?
Nixes Mate is one of the smallest island of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. It does, however, have a colorful history: executed pirates were once displayed as a warning to others attempting to loot ships in Boston Harbor.
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Last Updated: February 13, 2009 at 21:59 EST