Date of Award

2025

First Advisor

Dr. Donald McClelland

Second Advisor

Dr. Sarah Snyder

Abstract

Montserrat is a relatively small (102 km²), mountainous, and biodiverse island in the Lesser Antilles. To date, relatively little botanical research and no published studies on lichen have been conducted in Montserrat. This is likely due to the islands’ small size and relative inaccessibility, strongly influenced by volcanic activity spanning 1995-2012. Across the Caribbean lichens are notoriously understudied, with an estimate of 50% of tropical lichens remaining unidentified. This project aims to further understand lichens on a mechanistic basis by assessing whether the three main morphological types of lichens – crustose, foliose, and fruticose – have a preference for one or more of six habitat types in Montserrat, WI. Although more sampling is required, there was a significant relationship found between corticolous crustose lichens and the dry scrub habitat, suggesting a relation between morphology and environmental conditions. In addition, I identified lichen collections I made using microscopic and chemical methods to work towards creating a preliminary checklist, included at the end. The aim of this project is to share information that can be useful for future researchers, including potential conservation efforts, and to add to the growing understanding of the biodiversity in Montserrat.

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