[PCA] Post NY Times moss article

[A & T Schrum]

I believe your statement is too broad and also erroneous.  A very 
cursory google search found the link below which lists 11 species of 
moss native to Appalachian wetlands that are considered rare.  To say 
that mosses recover after harvesting within a certain time is a blanket 
statement not applicable to all species and very misleading.  Indeed, 
some mosses, lichens and liverworts are very vigorous in their growth, 
but this is not the case for all species.  I'm sure a more thorough 
search of the internet and other materials would yield even more species 
in peril.

http://www.wsi.nrcs.usda.gov/products/piedmont/app-b.pdf

As for the question what are the collected mosses used for - mainly 
decorative "fill" for potted plants, holiday arrangements, etc.  In my 
opinion, this practice is as abhorrent as the harvesting of Galax leaves 
for the floral trade.

--Theresa Schrum
Georgia Native Plant Society

Center for Sustainable Resources wrote:

> The article is erroneous and inflamatory. Moss here covers anything 
> left laying in the woods on cove sites within two years. I am glad 
> someone is getting some use out of the stuff. Removing it at times is 
> natural simulating animal impact we no longer have. It opens the soil 
> and organic surfaces up to air and allows other plants to germinate. 
> Fred Hays
>
>> From: Patricia_Ford at fws.gov
>> To: native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org
>> Subject: [PCA] Post NY Times moss article
>> Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 14:28:43 -0500
>>
>> Please post:
>>
>> Attached is an article from today's NY Times science section (Nov. 30,
>> 2004). The original article in the paper has a couple of good photos. 
>> It's
>> a fair assessment of very complex issue.
>>
>> (See attached file: Centennial forest fest is planned, Union Democrat,
>> 11-26-04.htm)
>>
>>
>> Pat Ford
>> Botanist
>> Division of Scientific Authority
>> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
>> 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Room 750
>> Arlington, VA 22203
>> phone: 703-358-1708
>> fax: 703-358-2276
>> e-mail: Patricia_L_Ford at fws.gov
>> << Centennialforestfestisplanned,UnionDemocrat,11-26-04.htm >>
>> _______________________________________________
>> native-plants mailing list
>> native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org
>> http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/native-plants_lists.plantconservation.org 
>>
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