MOSSES OF FOREST SWAMPS IN THE SOUTHERN WEST SIBERIA

Abstract

Long-term bryological research in birch and spruce forest swamps in the southern periphery of West Siberia are resulted in summary list of 133 moss species. Constancy and ecological features are given for all the species; some examples are discussed. It is shown that birch and spruce forest swamps (background and rare types of communities for the study area), are approximately equal in the diversity of moss species, and 60% of the recorded species were found in both types of communities. On the latitudinal gradient from north to south, the number of moss species in the forest swamps of the southern taiga and subtaiga is approximately equal, further south it decreases and in the steppe zone it is reduced by more than half, to the set of 43 most widespread and constant species. It was revealed that in forest swamp communities only a few moss species have high occurrence rates (Plagiomnium ellipticum, Сlimacium dendroides, Calliergon cordifolium, Calliergonella cuspidata, Drepanocladus aduncus in depressions and Brachythecium mildeanum, Aulacomnium palustre, Dicranum bonjeanii, Timmia megapolitana, Campylium stellatum and some others on elevated micro-sites); the vast majority of species are rare. A well-developed microrelief determines the diversity of micro-habitats, to ensure the coexistence of species of different ecology and origin. More than half of the recorded species are indifferent to mires and random. The most interesting findings (Anomodon viticulosus, Anomodontella longifolia, Brachythecium rutabulum, Conardia compacta, Fissidens adianthoides, Myurella julacea, Platydictya jungermannioides, Zygodon sibiricus) are discussed. In densely populated areas, forest swamps are islands of natural vegetation and ensure the survival of many species.