Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

Variables Impacting the Growth of Bryophytes and Research for the Good of the Pacific Northwest
By Breeauna O'Rear

Growing up in North Pole, Alaska, I was raised with a deep appreciation for the nature surrounding me, the species within that, and the conservation of those species. My great-grandparents homesteaded in North Pole and passed down their ways to my family members. My mother taught me to leave blueberries on bushes I picked from so that they would continue to produce fruit in later years. My father taught me to never shoot an animal or catch a fish for show. Instead, directed by gentle fostering from my elders, I grew to love every organism I interacted with. I now see intrinsic value in salmon, flowing streams, wandering moose, and even lichen on tundra rock.

These experiences influenced my decision to pursue a degree in biology. I am currently a biology major with an emphasis in ecology at George Fox University, located in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), in Newberg, Oregon. After graduation, I will be working in the conservation and preservation of species. Over the fall of 2022, I was given the opportunity to pursue research in this area with two of my peers in college.

My team and I became curious about possible symbiotic relationships between organisms on campus. Our campus is located in the PNW which is a humid, precipitation-rich environment, hosting hundreds of species. During a period of observation, we noticed that certain species of trees hosted an abundance of moss, while others hosted little to no moss. After considering factors that might influence moss growth, we hypothesized that trees with a higher bark water storage capacity would host a higher percentage of moss, because moss needs a moist environment to survive. From here, we conducted a study that explored this idea.

We collected bark samples from four different tree species on campus (Acer macrophyllum, Quercus garryana, Pinus ponderosa, Sequoiadendron giganteum). Five trees were randomly selected for each species and two bark samples per tree were collected, for a total of 40 bark samples. Each of these samples were analyzed to determine bark water storage capacity. We took pictures of each tree from the four cardinal directions at breast height and analyzed percent moss coverage using Image J. We also recorded the pH of each bark sample and mean pH of each tree species to account for this being a possible variable.

Our results suggest there is a positive relationship between bark water storage capacity and percent moss coverage. While this is what we predicted, we discovered that pH may impact the growth of bryophytes more significantly than moisture. As the pH of tree species increased, so did the percent moss coverage on that species.

The biodiversity amongst species within the PNW is extremely high. Not only is the PNW home to numerous different species, it is home to a large number of organisms overall. Forests cover much of the area these organisms live in. Forest ecology is composed of multiple important species, one of those being bryophytes. Bryophytes provide habitat for other organisms, fight soil erosion, retain nutrients, along with both conserving and filtering water (Miller, 2007; Aschenbrenner, 2017). Not only this, but bryophytes are great indicators of acid rain, and air and water pollution (Miller, 2007; Aschenbrenner, 2017). Because of this, our understanding of bryophytes and their interactions with their environment are crucial.

Models predict that the PNW will endure moisture-deficit summers, amplified warming, and increased cloud coverage in years to come (Spies et al., 2010). By obtaining increased knowledge regarding the forests of the PNW, we will be better equipped to respond to these environmental changes. Studying and understanding the relationship between bryophytes and trees will help us make the right environmental decisions as needed.

I believe that our environment needs to be protected for the sake of our own lives, the lives of future generations, and for the intrinsic value found within it. The natural environment benefits people mentally: by giving our minds time from the technological world; physically: by providing a place to explore and be active in; and spiritually: by giving us the quiet opportunity to find peace in creation. Nature provides us with a place of tranquil refuge, provisions for sustenance, and maintains intrinsic value as it is the Lord's creation. As stewards of creation, we should protect the earth for what it is by itself and what it provides humanity. Its conservation and preservation are essential for our own sake, if not for the sake of nature as it stands alone. After completing this experiment, I became inspired to do future work in the PNW that will promote its well-being. This project allowed me the opportunity to see what my future work in conservation may look like. It has inspired me to direct the use of my talents and passions towards something that will result in a positive impact on the earth we call home.

Link to full research article: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JLPG45ardTcsq54A3A8t7BS7-tF_ydLpewPqNXT-w34/edit?usp=sharing

Sources: Miller, K. M., Wagner, R. G., & Woods, S. A. (2007). Effect of gap harvesting on epiphytes and bark-dwelling arthropods in the Acadian forest of central Maine. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 37(11), 2175-2187. https://doi.org/10.1139/x07-022

Spies, T. A., Giesen, T. W., Swanson, F. J., Franklin, J. F., Lach, D., & Johnson, K. N. (2010). Climate change adaptation strategies for federal forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA: ecological, policy, and socio-economic perspectives. Landscape Ecology, 25(8), 1185-1199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-010-9483-0