INTRODUCTION 



Tlie Montana Natural Heritage Program and Kootenai National Forest (KNF), with fimding provided by a 

 challenge cost sliare agreement, contracted with Joe Elliott to collect and identify mosses fom representative 

 habitats on tlie KNF. The moss flora of Montana has recently been evaluated and included among the plant 

 species of special concern by the Montana Natural Heritage Program and is proposed for the statewide vegetation 

 classificatioa The moss flora of northwestern Montana has not been extensively studied although it is known to be 

 divase, witli a relatively large number of species witli Pacific-maritime floristic affinities. This study was conducted 

 to help develop a foundation for evaluation of biodiversity and habitat indicator value of mosses. 



This preliminary list of mosses for die KNF was assembled fiom tlie following sources: specimens at tlie 

 University of Montana Heihaiium (N40NTU); Eversman and Sliarp (1980); Reichel and Beckstrom (1994); Field 

 notes of S. Flowers filled at the Uiii\'ei-sity of Colorado; Spribille (1996); Chadde and Shelly (1994); specimens 

 provided by T Spribille, Kara Hungate, Mike Lolley, J. Reichel, J. Vandeihorst, M. Anddson, L. Sedler, and P. 

 Lesica; and collections tliat we liave made. Species denoted with an asterisk are new state records not pre\iously 

 reported for Montana 



Tliis list is preliminaiy because it does not reflect intensive collecting throughout many liabitats and geographic 

 areas of the KNF. As fijture study results become available, tliis list will be iqxlated and expanded Several species 

 identifications are tentative, awaiting verification by specialists in particular moss groips . 



STUDY AREAS 



We collected mosses fiom a variety of liabitats, including: old-growth stands of westem red cedar of western 

 hemlock, wet meadows, mineral-rich fens, warm valleys, and riparian areas. Areas collected include: Bowen Creek 

 fen (T31NJl26W,Sec.l); Cody Lake fen (T29NJ^8W,Sec.6); Hawidns Pond fen, (T37NJ«3W,Sec.l8); Teepee 

 Lake feiKT28NJR30W,Sec.25); Rainbow Lake fen (BSNJ^l W,Sec.6); Rattiebone Fen (B4N,R25W,Sec. 26); 

 Magnesia fen (T33NJ^5W,Sec. 7); Dudley Slough (T34NJ^6W,Sec. 14); and Pete Creek Meadows 

 (T37NJl33W,Sec.24). Old-growth stands were sur\'eyed as part of moonwort studies (a rare group of ferns) at 

 Zulu Creek (T34NJ^lW,Sec.lO); Kelsey Creek (T35N,R31W,Sec.29); Rock Creek Cn6NJR32W,Sec.3 and 23), 

 Cedar Creek (T3 IN, R32W, Sec. 34),Sutton Creek (05 J^8W,Sec.33); Alexander Mountain (B lN,R29W,Sec 

 1 9). Relatively dry and warm ipland liabitats were sampled in the Kootenai Rivo* vail 

 ey, near Kootenai Falls (T3 1NJ133 W,Sec. 1 3). Toby Spribille made addtional collections fiom the Wliitefisli, 

 PurcelL, and Salish mountains as part of his habitat studies for tlie Forest Service. 



METHODS 



Habitats were searched, mosses were collected, dried in p^jer bags, and preserved for fijture identificatioa 

 Taxonomic references used to identify specimens include: Lawton (1971). Taxonomic nomaiclature generally 

 follows Anderson et al (1990) and Anderson (1990). Specimens difficult to identify were sent to Dale Vitt at tlie 

 University of Alberta, Edmonton; Bruce Allen, Missouri Botanical Garden; William Weber, University of 

 Colorado; Ame Frisvoll, University of Trondheim, and Patricia Eckel, Buflalo Museum of Science, Buflfelo, New 

 Yoric Specimens of our collections are deposited at MONTU. Other collections idaitified in this report are 



