For this study, I investigated the spatial distribution of the lichen M. terebrata in three swamp forests with different shape and disturbance history. The presence or absence of the lichen was noted on all alders in each swamp forest.

A 5m x 5m grid was superimposed on the swamp forests, and the relative abundance of M. terebrata was quantified in each square. Moran’s I test (Moran, 1950) was used to test the probability that the observed distribution would occur by chance. Data treatment and analysis was performed in ArcMap 10.1. Also, the average distance from the swamp forest edge to trees without presence of M. terebrata was compared with the same average distance to trees with presence of M. terebrata. The swamp forest edge was defined using field observations.