Lichens were cultured by attaching a thallus fragment to a nylon monofilament loop with silicone sealer. Two effective methods for adjusting lichen mass to a standard moisture content were developed (the ‘reference-sample’ and ‘sacrificial’ methods). These corrections for moisture content allow detection of very small changes in dry mass without having to oven dry (and kill) all transplants. Average annual biomass growth rates for non-fragmenting species were typically between 5 and 30%. Annual biomass growth rates of healthy, vigorous individuals, as indicated by the 75th percentile, were mostly between 10 and 40%. Alectoria sarmentosa was prone to fragmentation despite the maintenance of healthy thalli. The other species can be ranked by biomass growth rates as follows: Evernia prunastri> Lobaria pulmonaria=Usnea longissima> Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis=Lobaria oregano.

The genetic diversity within the foliose form of Ricasolia amplissima from Europe and North America was studied using molecular phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ITS and RPB2, and mitochondrial SSU. Boundaries between closely related species were also examined using morphological and chemical patterns. Four species of the recently reinstated lichen genus Ricasolia De Not. were phylogenetically verified which necessitated a new combination, Ricasolia japonica (Asah.) Cornejo. Analyses suggest that the generic type taxon R. amplissima (Scop.) De Not. belongs to a species complex that shows two evolutionary centres, one in Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor and the Macaronesian Islands, the other from north-western North America on exposed shores of mainly forested marine islands in south-eastern Alaska, where it shows strong habitat specificity. The Alaskan lineage is very similar to the European lineage but it differs by the lack of scrobiculin and other chemical substances. It is described here as R. amplissima subsp. sheiyi Derr & Dillman.

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