Attachment_G_Cryptogam_Vouchering_Guidelines.doc

Guidelines for Collecting, Processing and Shipping

Bryophyte and Lichen Vouchers February 2007

1. Why voucher a specimen?

Dried plant specimens serve as scientific vouchers to document the presence of a species at a particular locality. Vouchers are sent to experts for identification/verification.

2. How much to voucher?

If there isn’t very much material – i.e. if there are only 1 or 2 bent setas (T. geniculata) – then it would be best to not remove any material. Instead look around the area to see if more populations are present; if enough material is present, then make a voucher. If a voucher is not collected, it is very important to note that on the species location form. Use the “1 in 20 rule” when vouchering a species. Reference the article by Dr. David H. Wagner at http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/biology/mnps/papers/120.html. Be sure to collect reproductive structures as they are important in the identification process.

3. Please use the voucher packet provided.

This will help us to keep the data consistent and it will also give us enough information to make each collection a valuable contribution to science. Please fill in the blanks and circle the appropriate fields on each packet. Fold the collection packet – first along the horizontal line; next fold in the margins along the tic marks, then fold the top down. Protect as necessary for shipping (e.g., small box or padded envelope). Be sure your specimens are dry prior to shipping.

4. You must assign a unique collecting number to each collection.

This should be the same as the Site ID for the purpose of government tracking; you may also assign an additional personal collection number if you wish.

5. Turn in vouchers to the contract COR as a part of the final project paperwork, if identifications have been made. If identifications have not yet been made, work with the COR to determine a date when final preliminary identifications will be completed.

Collection Information Helpful Hints

Here are a few things that are needed by the regional herbaria for curation of your specimens – brief, but well-written descriptions for:

Location – a specimen without locality data is worthless, please include the following:

1. Directions on how to return to the location – include specific information on distance to nearest town, river crossing, highway intersection or other landmark and number of the road/highway along which locality is situated.

2. Legal reference – township, range, section and quarter section

3. Map coordinates – use UTM NAD 83 Zone 10

4. Elevation

Habitat – provide a detailed description of the plant community, stand structure and composition including what species of trees and shrubs are in the forest. For example: old-growth multi-story ABAM (45%), TSHE (55%) dominated forest with scattered THPL (5%). DBH of dominate trees generally about 3’, sometimes 4’ and with one ABAM appr 7’+DBH. In understory GASH, few POMU, OXOR, VAPA, VACC sp.

Substrate – what was the specimen growing on? E.g., moist Abies amabilis corticated twig or TEGE growing on east end (old cut) of a 3’DBH PSME log – decay class 1.

This information can either be written on the voucher in the notes area or the back of the envelope - OR - completed species location form sent along with your specimen.

Voucher packet is in Word so that it can be edited with the common information that pertains to your field unit.

The site and substrate characteristics circle format on the voucher packet are to aid the expert in identification of the voucher. They can also be used as descriptor words to help with the written description on the species location form. Good references are the species protocols and Guide for the Identification of Rare, Threatened or Sensitive Bryophytes in the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, Western Washington, Western Oregon and Northwestern California, Christy, John A. and David H. Wagner, Ph.D., 1996