Trentepohlia, Lichens, and Moss

Dr. Xuyang and Dr. Liu Qiao, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and I began investigating communities of Trentepohlia algae when we realized we could not access the Hailuogou Glacier due to the Moxi earthquake in 2022 and climate-related changes to the glacier.  We developed an altitudinal gradient sampling plan to investigate the influence of the monsoon on the east side of the Mt. Gongga Range and the plateau climate on the west side of the range on the communities of Trentepohlia, lichen, and moss blooms and microbial communities on boulders.  We also want to understand how changing climate impacts annual blooms of Trentepohlia in the valleys.