Thirty-two sites at the Devens Reserve Forces Training Area were surveyed for lichens. A total of 173 species in 75 genera and 34 families were found. Ninety-six species were found on the bark of trees and shrubs, 29 species on wood, 62 species on rocky substrates, 37 species on soil or duff, 8 species on moss, and 12 species on miscellaneous substrates such as polypores and resin.

Subjective estimates suggest that coverage by epiphytic lichens is low to moderate, but typical of other second-growth forests in the region. The Picea mariana-Larix laricina bogs in the study area are an exception. Coverage is moderately high on the conifers in these bogs. Fire negatively affects the coverage in the Pinus rigida forest. The epiphytic lichen community is dominated by common asexually reproducing species. However, most of the diversity results from species present in low to moderate numbers. Acer rubrum and Pinus strobus were the hosts with the most species of epiphytic lichens.

Terricolous lichens were typical of assemblages found in similar habitats elsewhere. Coverage was patchy and also typical. A normal succession was observed from soil-binding crusts and pioneer Cladonias to successor species of Cladonia, Cladina, and Cetraria, except where prevented by recurring fire or mechanical disturbance.

The saxicolous species were typical of those found on siliceous rocks throughout the region. No calcareous rocks were present in the study area. Concrete and cement had lower coverage than usual.

A few species were found that are rarely collected in the region. Their true abundance is unknown. Among these species were Porina chlorotica, Ionaspis alba, Thelocarpon intermediellum, and an unidentified species of Micarea. No site or habitat in the study area is known to contain a concentrated population of rarely collected lichens.

[Additional excerpts from the Intro and Methods sections:]

This report describes and analyzes the lichen diversity found at Devens Reserve Forces Training Area by the three authors working during the summer and autumn of 1998. The field survey was preliminary in scope, with the goal of getting a good general idea of the diversity and coverage of lichens within the time allotted. This work was performed for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program under a contract between the first author and The Nature Conservancy.

A total of 32 sites are represented in the Devens lichen database [= a Microsoft 97 Access database]. These sites are of various sizes, ranging froma few square meters to--in one case--a few hectares. A complete list of siges may be found at the end of the report and their location is indicated on the attached topographic map.

The following sites were surveyed in detail: Slate Quarry, lower Spectacle Brook, Tamarack Bog, Stone Wall, Pitch Pine 1-5, Ammo Field 1-2, Old Foundation, Sumac Grove, Clay Pit/Brick Factory, Wolf Trees, and the Turner Drop Zone. Other sites were either surveyed more quickly, or were very partially and selectively examined. 

A total of 14.5 eight-hour field days were spent surveying the study area for lichens and lichen allies. The surveys were performed by the authors, each of whom generally worked at different sites.

Lichens were either identified and counted inthe field or collected for later identification. For field identification, chemical spot test were sometimes used to distinguish similar taxa of sterile crusts. Collected specimens were identified in the laboratory using standard techniques. These include light microscopy, chemical spot tests, and thin-layer chromatography. A few specimens that could not be identified by these means were sent to specialists. The report covers both lichens and a few species of lichen allies--non-lichenized fungi that resemble lichens or are closely related to them. One voucher specimen of each species has been placed in the lichen collection of the Farlow Herbarium at Harvard University.

In addition to the checklist, they reported a lichen called "Sterile sorediate crust No. 1: infrequent, on Quercus rubra and Acer rubrum; this species contains usnic acid only."