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OSMP-funded research finds unusually rich lichen diversity on Boulder open space; PhD survey documents hundreds of species including candidates new to science
Summary
OSMP and a CU Boulder researcher presented a city‑funded lichen inventory March 12, reporting roughly 450 species on Open Space and Mountain Parks land and identifying sensitive rock and north‑facing canyon habitats as diversity hotspots.
OSMP staff and a University of Colorado Boulder researcher presented results March 12 from a city‑funded project documenting lichen biodiversity across Open Space and Mountain Parks land.
Anne Lusberg, senior ecologist with OSMP27s Science and Climate Resilience program, described the funded research program and five projects OSMP funded for 2025. She said grants support short‑term, competitive research that addresses management needs, trains students and helps OSMP monitor resources; recipients are required to deliver reports and often present results back to the department.
Jacob Watts, a PhD candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology at CU Boulder, described the OSMP lichen inventory he has conducted using 31 permanent 25‑by‑25‑meter plots plus additional targeted collections in mesic canyons and rock outcrops. Using field sampling, microclimate sensors and lab identification (including microscopy and DNA sequencing), Watts said the inventory has documented about 450 lichen species on OSMP land so far and that roughly one quarter of species were known from only a single collection.
"Lichens are these composite organisms—fungus and algae together—that grow on rocks and soils and provide ecosystem services such as soil formation and pollutant capture," Watts said. He noted the city27s varied geology, north‑facing moist cliffs and large rock outcrops create many microhabitats that support rare and locally distinct species. Watts said two candidate species discovered in Boulder are currently under scientific description and that specimens will be curated in university herbaria for future study.
Why the work matters OSMP staff said the study helps fill long‑standing knowledge gaps about biodiversity on the city27s lands and can inform sensitive‑habitat management, trail planning and interpretive materials. Lusberg cited past funded projects in birds, ants and amphibian health that changed monitoring and management practices; she said the funded research program has funded five proposals for 2025 covering diatoms, amphibian parasites, social barriers to recreation and other topics.
Trustees27 questions and outreach Trustees and staff discussed whether permanent plot sensors are marked; Watts said microclimate sensors were deployed for 12 months and were labeled "OSMP formal research" while deployed but typically were not visible from trails. Trustees suggested the work could support education programs and junior ranger activities; Watts said he hopes to publish a field guide and outreach materials drawn from the inventory.
What remained unresolved The inventory is ongoing and not yet comprehensive—species accumulation curves have not plateaued—and Watts said additional sampling and taxonomic work will continue. No formal policy or regulatory changes were proposed at the meeting; the presentation was an informational briefing of funded research results.
Ending OSMP staff said funded research continues to be part of the department27s learning‑lab mission; staff plan to continue collaborating with academic and regional partners and to make reports available on OSMP27s research web pages.
