Client: Mount Rainier National Park and GeomorphIS LLC
SBS contracted with GeomorphIS and the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Network to design and conduct an ecological study to research the effects of recreational visitor use on communities of lichens and bryophytes at four high-use areas across the National Park. We used a project specific digital data collection interface to gather data and used standard laboratory techniques to identify specimens. Statistical analysis was conducted in the programming language R. This is the largest study ever conducted on this subject and we produced a final report detailing findings and recommending management strategies that will help preserve the biological resources of this unique National Park. A peer reviewed scientific paper detailing the results has been produced and will be published in 2025.