The fungus among us

Little is known about the ecological role of fungi even though they play a key role in the forest community. Fungi decompose brush and dead or diseased trees releasing nutrients back into the park ecosystem.

Princess Amanita NPS Photo

Mushrooms—the fruiting bodies of fungi—are food for many woodland critters including deer and squirrels. Between 600 and 800 species are estimated to exist in the park. A photographic survey currently underway has documented 125 species so far.

A little known but important role some species of fungi play is their interdependent relationship with plants. Fungi absorb phosphorus and nitrogen from the ground and provide these nutrients to plants. Plants return the favor by providing simple sugars.

Fungi are also known to be sensitive to air quality, which adds to their ecological importance. North Cascades National Park has developed a photographic inventory of fungi to better monitor them within the park.

For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/noca/rescat/rescat7a.htm or ask for the mushroom site bulletin.

Note: Mushroom collecting is prohibited within North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Check at ranger stations for more information.

Polypore or conks
Photo: Anne Braaten

Those likeable lichen

Although rangers don't often gossip, you might hear us talking about Alice Algae, who took a likin' (lichen) to Freddie Fungus. But you probably knew that, didn't you? After all, they are seen together frequently.

Lichen NPS Photo

They (algae and fungus) are two independent organisms that join together in mutualistic symbiosis to form one composite life formthe lichen. Mutualistic symbiosis is a term biologists use to describe a relationship in which each organism benefits from the other's presencea partnership of sorts. However, the partnership is a debatesome lichenologists dispute how beneficial the relationship really is to the tiny, single-celled forms of algae involved.

Algae have the ability to create food through photosynthesis but are vulnerable to the elements. Fungi are not green because they lack chlorophyll and are unable to photosynthesize. When alone they are usually found in the form of mold, mildew or mushrooms that are better adapted to environmental extremes, but must invade or scavenge for food.

When found together, algae provide carbohydrates to their fungal partner and fungi provide protection to their algal partner.

Together, they exploit habitats where they could not survive independently. As a result, the forest in the North Cascades is literally covered with lichens. They are on trees, rocks and even old buildings. They alone display a rich diversity of forms, which to many observers is the beauty of lichens.

Lungwort (Lobaria plumonaria) looks like a rubbery piece of lettuce and is easy to find scattered on the ground, especially after a windstorm has knocked it out of the canopy above.

Common witch's hair (Alectoria sarmentosa) looks like green, stringy hair hanging from tree branches. Lichen provide food for animals such as flying squirrels and material for bird nests and also act as nitrogen fixers for the forest.

Revegetation in fragile highcountry meadows

From the vibrant red of Indian paintbrush to the more subdued pinks and whites of heather, the hues of a mountain meadow in full bloom can take your breath away. But walking off trail into a mountain meadow damages plants and disturbs the animals who live there.

Highcountry plants are especially fragile and sensitive to disturbance, in part due to short growing seasons at high elevations. The weather is harsh and snow lingers more than half the year.

Pink Mountain Heather Photo: Anne Braaten

Plants like heather and huckleberry break easily.

Hiking off trail causes plant damage, soil compaction and erosion. Compaction depletes the soil of air and water, which are essential for plant growth. Animals need the plants for food and cover.

Damage to such fragile ecosystems can take hundreds of years to recover naturally, if they ever do. Once an area loses its vegetation, soils are exposed to erosion. If soils are lost, an area may become permanently barren.

Unfortunately, such delicate meadows and passes are popular highcountry spots. Some have been overused and are worn to bare ground. In several alpine areas park Resource Managers have placed netting to cover trail scars and protect seedling transplants.

Another facet of revegetation begins in the fall with seed and cutting collection. These are taken to the native plant nursery in Marblemount and grown through at least one summer. Each flat is carefully labeled so that plants can be returned to the same meadow where the seed was collected. Other methods of revegetating include direct seeding and use of transplants from nearby trail and facility construction.

Volunteer groups are assisting park staff in many projects. Currently Copper Ridge, Cascade Pass, Easy Pass and Juanita Lake areas are undergoing revegetation. Signs or exclosures mark the revegetation areas. You can help by staying out of these areas and walking only on designated trails. For more information pick up the North Cascades Revegetation brochure.