Liverworts and mosses at the top of Elbrus (Caucasus) and bryophytes near limits of their altitudinal distribution

Abstract

Two liverwort and two moss species were recorded from the outer side on the Eastern crater rim of Mt. Elbrus at 5590 m, on bare spot free of snow and ice about 10 × 20 m heated by geothermal activity. They are Marsupella boeckii, which is recorded for the first time for Caucasus, M. cf. funckii recorded for the first time for Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, rare in forest belt in Caucasus Atrichum cf. angustatum and widespread Pohlia nutans. Their morphology, distribution and emergence at the top of Elbrus are discussed. Comparison of known data on the highest bryophyte records worldwide demonstrates their dissimilarity in different mountains. The bryophyte location at the top of Elbrus is highest in Russia and Europe. Despite it is lower than the known highest bryophyte records in the lower latitudes it is quite comparable with them due to more severe conditions at the top of Elbrus situated at 43°N.