Epiphytic Mosses Growing on Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmuelleriana Trees in Ilgaz Forests of Turkey

Abstract

We studied the diversity of epiphytic mosses in the Uludag fir Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach. subsp. bornmuellerina (Mattf.) Coode et Cullen consisting of pure and mixed type forests in Ilgaz Mountain National Park and Yenice Forests located in the south parts of the park. After evaluating the collected mosses from Uludag fir, we determined 38 epiphytic moss taxa and 26 genera belonging to 19 families. Dicranum and Orthotrichum genera were noticed as the richest corticolous moss species. According to the life-forms analysis, 8 different life forms were determined. Among them, tall turf (tT) was dominant. Weft (We) and Mat (Ma) were seen as the second life forms in the studied area. The samplings were made from tree base up to stand basal area. Generally, the effect of forestry practices was touched on composition, richness and cover of epiphytic bryophyte assemblages in managed and unmanaged forests. Negative effects of construction and tourist’ behaviors on the diversity of epiphytic bryophyte species in protected areas, such as national parks, were also mentioned.