XVI International Botanical Congess

Cladonia perforata is an endangered lichen species, endemic to three regions in Florida. Before fall of 1996 only three populations were known from N. Florida. In October 1996, a severe hurricane destroyed more than half of the largest known population, extirpated the two smaller populations, and rendered once-occupied habitat unsuitable for recolonization. Based on the results of prior experimental transplants, I propose to experimentally reintroduce this lichen to portions of the dunes from which it was lost in 1996. Dispersal is apparently limited to thallus fragments and is probably effective only over relatively short distances.Benefits include re-establishment across its regional historic range and several artificial populations of known size and area from which future monitoring studies may yield data about population growth and dispersal.