Dr. Curtis Bjork’s presentation last week introduced me that Robson Valley was known to be one of the area in BC where varieties of Lichen Species, and other vascular plants were found. When Dr. Bjork was answering the question about Cottonwood and Lichen species in Price George Area, I also learned that lichens are very sensitive to the air pollution, and dependent on moisture and ph content. It was very interesting to understand more on the association of Lichens and rock types, also, to know about species library, and the pre and post glacial process and species distribution model in his presentation.

His presentation began with the introduction, and followed by geography and climate overview, field work and its findings and concluded with summary. As a research stand point, in particular, I enjoyed seeing the presentation flow with well-articulated explanation for each slides. Overall, he was a good presenter and followed the content within a certain amount of time by continuously pursuing the audience interest. But one thing, I was aware that his study included the association between Lichens species and rock types with their ph. Contents, but, during the presentation, he only focused explaining on ph and acidity of rock type that associate with Lichen but the climate was excluded (it was only talked at the beginning in general). I think that is the most important piece to mention about, because, Lichens may not grow/survive on all limestone bed even in the study area. Another one was, if the study can expand onto detail investigation of soil and rock mineral contents from the geochemistry data that may provide in deep understanding of genetically relationship of Lichen species.

In regard to his presentation, there are no direct applicable or relevant components to my own Master’s research; however, I have learned some aspect of preparation for research presentation, research methods and techniques those are indirectly applicable to my study.

Out of four questions, Dr. Bjork directly answered well on three with additional explanations to support the answer. For the third question relating to speculation of glacial event and diversity, the speaker did not provide a direct answer to the open question, but he provided the great theoretical concepts and phenomenon about the dispersion of species between glacial and non-glacial terrains.

If I will have a chance, I would have asked about on his thoughts on the Lichens species occurrences in Robson area intern of habitats characteristics including geology, environmental and geographic criteria can be used as a reference (sample point) for prediction model that can be applied to similar area across BC or Canada? And, how to identify or cross reference if the Lichen is a new species during the study?