Managing a neglected component of biodiversity: a study of bryophyte diversity in production forests of Tasmania's northeast

Abstract

Summary Bryophytes were surveyed in coupes scheduled for conversion to plantation in the wet forests of the Bass District in northeast Tasmania. Besides being the first detailed regional survey of this important component of biodiversity, the study presented the opportunity to compare bryophyte diversity as it relates to a) geology type, b) substrate, c) vascular plant communities, and d) riparian areas (likely to be remnants after harvesting). Overall bryophyte species (81) outnumbered vascular plant species (54) in the 19 areas sampled. There were significant differences in bryophyte richness and composition between the forests on the three geological types (granite, Quaternary sands, mudstone), and the seven substrates (live vegetation, treeferns, coarse woody debris, fallen treeferns, soil, roots, rocks). Other good predictor variables for bryophyte diversity were the five vascular plant communities, and the two Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) communities. Bryophyte composition of riparian sites did not differ significantly from the surrounding forest, although they do cluster together on an ordination diagram. We found 14 species that have not been recorded for the region before, which is likely to be a reflection of under-collecting rather than rarity.