Bryophyte Species Research Articles

Stream bryophyte recovery after extreme flood disturbance takes several years

Abstract The recovery rates and assembly processes of stream bryophyte communities after severe disturbances are not well known. Breaking of an ice dam caused an extreme flood that completely removed bryophyte cover along several hundreds of metres of a boreal stream (Stream Uopajanpuro, Koillismaa, NE Finland). We monitored recolonization rates and successional processes of stream bryophytes in the disturbed stream section over 8 years. In the first two summers after the disturbance, the disturbed section remained largely unvegetated. The initial recovery of the bryophyte community resulted mainly from colonization of vegetative moss fragments of the dominant, perennial species present in the undisturbed upstream section, whereas typical early successional colonist species remained scarce. The recovery of total cover, richness and community composition of stream bryophytes took 5–6 years after the disturbance event, even though bryophyte vegetation supplying fragments was located in the immediate vicinity upstream of the disturbance site. Bryophyte species showed differences in the colonization–recovery rates. Mean spatial segregation among species showed no trend during recovery, whereas several species pairs showed both segregation and aggregation trends. Our results indicate that extreme flooding can have devastating effects on bryophyte cover, and the recovery of bryophytes is slow compared to other stream organisms, with full recovery taking up to several years. This recovery time estimate may only apply if there is an immediate upstream source of vegetative propagules from undisturbed populations. Where such populations are absent, recovery of bryophyte communities can take decades.

Agricultural legacy shapes plant diversity patterns in mountain grasslands of Maramureș and Bukovina: A cross‐border perspective (Ukraine, Romania)

Abstract We investigated farming practices and grassland plant diversity patterns in the historical regions of Maramureș and Bukovina, located in the central Eastern Carpathians of Romania and Ukraine. We explored the influence of social and historical factors on recent grassland plant diversity, including changes and modifications in land use and grassland management practices. We used stratified random sampling to select 48 grassland parcels in eight villages on the Ukrainian‐Romanian borderlands. We identified the factors that affect the composition and diversity of grassland vascular plants and bryophytes at multiple spatial scales and compared the frequency and timing of historical and recent grassland management practices to distinguish between preserved and modified agricultural traditions. In most of the grassland parcels studied (83% in Romania and 78% in Ukraine), traditional land use persisted. Local plant species richness was primarily influenced by management practices, outweighing the impact of topography and soil factors. Regular mowing at appropriate intensity increased the richness of vascular plants, while grazing promoted the richness of bryophyte species. Modifications to farming systems, observed in all studied villages, were mainly due to declining population and livestock numbers. Although the timing of spring and autumn grazing in hay meadows still adhered to tradition, mowing schedules shifted earlier, especially for the first cut of two‐cut hay meadows. Traditional corralling, fertilization and hayseed application have become rare or discontinued in certain villages, while controlled burning has increased. Past use of mineral fertilizers in Ukrainian villages during the Soviet era influenced the recent diversity and composition of vascular plant species, favouring nutrient‐demanding species. Social factors and agricultural policies indirectly affect biodiversity in semi‐natural grasslands, leaving a tangible footprint even in the most remote areas of the Carpathian Mountains. We provide basic recommendations to preserve the remarkable biodiversity of the region. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Ash Treatment Promotes the Revegetation of Abandoned Extracted Peatlands

Treating peat with nutrient-rich ash significantly increases the content of different nutrients in the substrate. Such ash treatment promotes the revegetation of abandoned extracted peatlands. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of wood ash (WA15 = 15 t ha−1 and WA10 = 10 t ha−1), oil shale ash (OSA8 = 8 t ha−1), and a mixture of wood ash and oil shale ash (WA10 + OSA8) on the revegetation (vascular plants and bryophytes) of the Puhatu abandoned extracted peatland in NE Estonia. The following results were obtained: (1) The MRPP tests indicate that there are compositional differences between the treatments. (2) Altogether, 23 vascular plant and 3 bryophyte species were recorded in the treatment areas. (3) Nine years after these ash treatments, the highest mean vascular plant species richness was recorded for WA15 (3.8 ± 0.3) and the lowest for OSA8 (2.0 ± 0.3). (4) A greater number of vascular plant species was observed in the WA15 area. (5) Mixed ash and wood ash had a significant effect on the amount of biomass in vascular plants. Treating with either wood ash or a mixture of ash ensured the rapid formation of vascular plants and bryophyte layers, contributing to the restoration of the abandoned peatland ecosystem.

Unraveling growth-promoting potential of plant beneficial actinobacteria on tropical bryophytes

Bryophytes are non-vascular plants with dominant gametophyte stage that play vital ecological roles in natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, their populations are currently in decline due to habitat destruction and various anthropogenic activities. The conservation efforts for bryophytes are hampered by their slow growth rates. This study aims to investigate the potential of actinobacteria to promote the growth of bryophytes. In this study, three plant growth-promoting actinobacteria, Dermacoccus abyssi MT1.1T, Micromonospora chalcea CMU55-4 and Streptomyces thermocarboxydus S3 were cultured in International Streptomyces Project medium 2 (ISP2) broth to obtain culture filtrates containing bioactive compounds for enhancing the growth of two bryophyte species, Physcomotrium sphaericum (C. Ludw.) Fürnr and Sphagnum cuspidatulum C. Müll. Interestingly, the incorporation of actinobacterial culture filtrates into 1/16 Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium yielded superior growth performance of P. sphaericum (C. Ludw.) Fürnr and S. cuspidatulum C. Müll, as observed from the thallus height, fresh weight, total chlorophyll contents, and total carotenoid contents compared to control groups. In addition, the inoculation of M. chalcea CMU55-4 on S. cuspidatulum C. Müll grown in sterile peat moss demonstrated the highest values for thallus height, fresh weight, dry weight, total chlorophyll content, and total carotenoid content. All actinobacteria successfully colonized the moss seedlings without any observable negative impacts, indicating beneficial interactions between actinobacteria and bryophytes. This research sheds light on the potential of harnessing plant beneficial actinobacteria to enhance the growth of bryophytes for conservation purposes.

Bryophytes in managed lowland forests of Slovakia (Central Europe): looking into species diversity across different forest types

AbstractThe majority of the woodland area in Central Europe is composed of managed forests. Although the species diversity and composition, particularly in older forests, may be similar to those of natural or close-to-nature forests, intensive forestry and other human activities have adverse impacts on biodiversity. The present study focused on bryophyte diversity in managed lowland forests, as these have received less attention compared to other types of forests. Our research targeted the area located within the Borská nížina Lowland in south-western Slovakia. In total, 37 forest sampling plots (SPs) were selected, representing five different forest types, namely Quercus, Fraxinus, Robinia, Pinus, and mixed forests. Multivariate statistical analyses were conducted across these forest types to demonstrate variations in bryophyte species richness, composition, and functional traits. Overall, 60 species of bryophytes were identified, of which five were liverworts and 55 were mosses. Epiphytes were the most abundant substrate group in deciduous and mixed stands, while epigeic species prevailed in Pinus forests. Considering environmental factors, the bryophyte diversity was influenced mostly by the forest type and area size of SPs. Clear differences in species composition were observed when comparing coniferous and deciduous stands, as well as non-native Robinia forests and native tree stands. Overall, intensive forest management results in a high concentration of hemerophilous and nitrophilous species, along with the absence of rare and threatened mosses and liverworts. Nevertheless, by adhering to proper management methods, even managed forests can provide suitable habitats for various bryophytes.

A first evaluation of biological soil crusts diversity in three distinctive rocky outcrops in Brazil

Biological soil crusts (biocrust hereafter) are communities structured by the interaction between bacteria, fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, lichens and bryophytes over the most superficial particles of the soil. These complex communities are mostly found in arid and semiarid regions, but they can also be conspicuous members of the vegetation in moist tropical ecosystems. This study presents the first taxonomic and ecological investigation of biocrusts in three prevalent Brazilian rocky outcrop types: ironstone, quartzite-sandstone, and limestone, while also assessing the distribution of these outcrop types across Brazil as potential biocrust habitats. We identified thirty-four bryophyte species (29 mosses, 5 liverworts), seven cyanobacteria genera, and one genus from each of the Charophyta and Chlorophyta algae groups. Twenty-four of the species (19 mosses and 5 liverworts) have never been previously reported in biocrusts associations in any ecosystem. Six microhabitats were characterized. Analysis of soil composition in the studied rocky outcrops highlighted pH, total acidity, phosphorus, organic matter, calcium, and iron concentrations as key distinguishing factors, emphasizing limestone as the most unique environment among the outcrops studied. Positive co-occurrence patterns were observed solely in ironstone and limestone outcrops, suggesting potential ecological interactions between mosses and cyanobacteria. The proportions of Brazilian rocky outcrops within Protected Areas (PAs) exhibited disparities, with ironstone and limestone outcrops being the most threatened, representing only 0.25 % and 5.11 % of PA sites, respectively. Our findings address crucial knowledge gaps within these unique ecosystems, offering valuable insights for biocrust research.

An ancient role for CYP73 monooxygenases in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and embryophyte development

The phenylpropanoid pathway is one of the plant metabolic pathways most prominently linked to the transition to terrestrial life, but its evolution and early functions remain elusive. Here, we show that activity of the t-cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H), the first plant-specific step in the pathway, emerged concomitantly with the CYP73 gene family in a common ancestor of embryophytes. Through structural studies, we identify conserved CYP73 residues, including a crucial arginine, that have supported C4H activity since the early stages of its evolution. We further demonstrate that impairing C4H function via CYP73 gene inactivation or inhibitor treatment in three bryophyte species—the moss Physcomitrium patens, the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the hornwort Anthoceros agrestis—consistently resulted in a shortage of phenylpropanoids and abnormal plant development. The latter could be rescued in the moss by exogenous supply of p-coumaric acid, the product of C4H. Our findings establish the emergence of the CYP73 gene family as a foundational event in the development of the plant phenylpropanoid pathway, and underscore the deep-rooted function of the C4H enzyme in embryophyte biology.

Synergistic effects of zinc and cadmium on phytoremediation potential of Christmas moss (Vesicularia montagnei)

The hyperaccumulation potential of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) and their synergistic effects were examined in relation to Christmas moss (Vesicularia montagnei (Bél) Broth., Hypnaceae), an aquatic and terrestrial moss, dosed with Cd (Cd1 and Cd2), Zn (Zn1 and Zn2) and combined Zn and Cd (Cd1Zn1 and Cd2Zn2). Zinc promoted plant growth and development, particularly in the highest Zn and combined Zn/Cd treatments (Zn2 and Cd2Zn2). The Zn treatment resulted in substantial moss chlorophyll content and highest percentage relative growth rate in biomass value (0.23 mg L−1 and 106.8%, respectively); however, the Cd2Zn2 treatment achieved maximal production of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll (0.29 and 0.51 mg L−1, respectively) due to synergistic effects. These findings suggest that Christmas moss is a highly metal-tolerant and adaptable bryophyte species. Zinc was essential for reducing the detrimental effects of Cd while simultaneously promoting moss growth and biomass development. Furthermore, Christmas moss exhibited hyperaccumulation potential for Cd and Zn in the Cd2Zn2 and Zn alone treatments, as evidenced by highest Cd and Zn values in gametophores (1002 and 18,596 mg per colony volume, respectively). Using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, atomic percentages of element concentrations in moss gametophores in the Zn2, Cd2 and combined Zn/Cd treatments were generally in the order: K > Ca > P > Zn > Cd. When comparing the atomic percentages of Zn and Cd in gametophores, it is likely that the higher atomic percentage of Zn was because this element is essential for plant growth and development.

The bryophyte rhizoid-sphere microbiome responds to water deficit.

The roots of vascular plants are colonised by a multitude of microbes, which play an important role in plant health and stress resilience. Drought stress in particular is devastating for crop yield and causes major shifts in the rhizosphere microbial communities. However, the microbiome associated to the rhizoids (hereafter termed rhizoid-sphere) of the nonvascular bryophytes remains largely unexplored. Here, we use amplicon sequencing to explore the rhizoid-sphere microbiome of three bryophyte species under drought and well-watered conditions. Comparing rhizoid-sphere microbial communities associated with the two liverworts Marchantia polymorpha and Marchantia paleacea and the moss Physcomitrium patens showed characteristic differences in composition between host species and both conserved and unique changes under drought. At phylum level, these changes were similar to changes in the rhizosphere of angiosperms under drought. Furthermore, we observed strong differences in rhizoid-sphere colonisation between bryophyte species for taxa known for nitrogen fixation and plant growth promotion. Interestingly, M. polymorpha prioritised the growth of belowground organs under osmotic stress, as is the case for angiosperms under drought. Taken together, our results show interesting parallels between bryophytes and angiosperms in the relation with their rhizo(id-)sphere, suggesting evolutionary conservation among land plants in their response to drought stress.

Assessment of moss-associated biological nitrogen fixation of dominant moss species in mature black spruce forests in Eastern Canada

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by bryophytes is an essential source of new nitrogen in nitrogen-limited boreal ecosystems. This assessment is, however, primarily based on reports from northern Europe and, to a lesser extent, Western North America. A more systematic and extensive evaluation of nitrogen fixation by moss is required to close current gaps in records of moss BNF and better assess the importance of bryophytes on N input in boreal ecosystems. Here, we evaluated nitrogen fixation activity and contribution to N input of dominant bryophyte species in black spruce forests from Eastern Canada. We assessed the relative abundance, BNF activity, and relative contribution to nitrogen input on five sites along a 600 km transect. We report that several moss species contribute to nitrogen input but that Ptilium crista-castrensis is the main contributor. Estimated nitrogen input by mosses (≪ 1 kg·ha−1·year−1) is in the low range of N inputs reported in the literature and is consistent with activities reported elsewhere for similar species, N deposition, and forest age. Results show that atmospheric deposition, while low, remains a more significant source of exogenous N to mature black spruce forests than bryophytes.

Three bryophyte species new to türkiye and southwest asia

As a result of extensive bryophyte surveys across the different parts of the Karçal Mountain, Türkiye's first biosphere reserve area, Artvin region (Caucasus) in the East Black Sea region of Türkiye, Jungermannia pumila, Scapania uliginosa and Heterocladium flaccidum found as new to Türkiye. Moreover, these taxa are the first time reported for bryophyte flora of South-West Asia in this paper. Descriptions, illustrations, distributions, ecological characteristics, and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa were also provided. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 31(1): 25-32, 2024 (June)

Exploring the effects of fire on bryophyte functional groups along an elevational gradient on an oceanic island

Fire modifies the composition and distribution of biodiversity, but the availability of broad elevational gradients for evaluating its effects is limited. Studies conducted along elevational gradients provide valuable insights into the impacts of large-scale disturbances. Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes and low palatability to invasive herbivores, bryophytes serve as effective bioindicators for analyzing disturbance levels in oceanic island ecosystems where herbivores have been introduced. Our research focused on examining how α and β diversity and bryophyte species composition change along an elevational gradient from 200 to 2000 m a.s.l. in areas affected by fire 20 years ago compared to control areas that have been fire-free for at least 50 years. This study was carried out using different functional bryophyte groups in the pine forest of La Palma Island (Canary Islands), where this ecosystem is well represented. The findings revealed the sensitivity of the Canarian pine forest ecosystem to fire. Pine forest areas burnt 20 years ago were significantly poorer in bryophyte species than those in areas free from fire for at least 50 years. α-diversity is proposed as the most indicative parameter for analyzing the impacts of fire on the studied functional groups along the entire gradient analyses. However, β-diversity is more dependent on environmental conditions, increasing in the wettest pine forests. The results suggest that the fire impacts vary depending on the specific functional group of bryophytes and the type of pine forest.

Мохоподібні парку-пам’ятки садово-паркового мистецтва місцевого значення «Снопківський» (м. Львів)

The species diversity and substratum preferencies of Bryophytes in the territory of the local park-monument park “Snopkivsky” in the urban ecosystem of Lviv are given in the article. The bryoflora of the Snopkivsky Park includes 61 species of bryophytes from the divisions Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta. The high position of the families Brachytheciaceae, Orthotricaceae, Pottiaceae, Bryaceae in the floristic spectrum reflects the specificity of the park’s local conditions. The percentage of these families in the floristic spectrum is 45.9 % of the total species richness. This distribution is characteristic of aridic natural zones, which indicates the dry condition of the urban microclimate. At the same time, a good representation of the boreal and nemoral forest families such as Mniaceae, Amblystegiaceae, Hypnaceae (21.3 % of the total species richness) reflects the natural features of the territory (the zone of broad-leaved forests), which spontaneously reproduced on part of the Park territory or were created artificially in ornamental gardening. In this part of the Park with spontaneous silvatisation the largest number of bryophyte species is concentrated and the moss cover is the most abundant. Poor representation of Marchantiophytes indicates a significant degree of anthropization of the studied urban ecosystem. There is an increase in the number of anthropogenic ecotopes in the Park, which is reflected in a significant upgrowth in the fraction of epilithic bryophyte species. Ravines and abandoned quarries have the greatest conservation value for mosses on the Park territory. Some anthropophobic species as components of epigeic, epiphytic and epixylic substrates groups, which are not characteristic of intensively urbanized areas, are occur here. No rare bryophyte species were found within the park. However, floating liverwort Riccia fluitans, which is not typical for urban areas in general, was found in the Zelene Oko lake. Calcareous tufa deposited in the bed of hard-water streams at the headwaters of the Snopkivsky stream is a specific habitat for bryophytes. Indicators for hard-water springs with tufa formation of European lowland arias bryophytes species (Apopellia endiviifolia, Cratoneuron filicinum and Platyhypnidium riparoides) were found here. Amphibious (primarily calciphilic tufa-forming) and free-floating bryophyte species are equally not typical for urbanized ecosystems and occur here only sporadically: this fact underlines the conservation value of the researched park for the pre­servation of bryophytes microhabitats within the city boundaries. The conservation of silvatic areas, both spontaneous and artificial, is an important condition for the effective functioning of the park as a semi-natural ecosystem. The diversity of bryophytes, their species composition and cover abundance are indicative of the integrity of urban ecosystems on the territory of the park “Snopkivsky”.

Allometric estimation models for aboveground and belowground biomass of pre-fire and post-fire vegetation in Scots pine forests

Abstract Wildfires have recently destroyed large areas of forest in Central Europe. After a fire, the post-fire vegetation succession rebuilds previously lost biomass and carbon. Nevertheless, ground vegetation and tree regeneration, as well as belowground biomass, are largely neglected in allometric biomass models. Moreover, most models are calibrated for undisturbed forests, which differ from burned forests in terms of site conditions and species composition. We adapted a model using plant cover and shoot length of herb, graminoid and bryophyte species (PhytoCalc), and a single tree model using shoot length and root collar diameter of juvenile trees to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) of post-fire species and growth groups, and extended them to estimate belowground biomass. We sampled the most dominant species from the herb and moss layer and the tree regeneration of burned and unburned Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests in NE Germany. We successfully calibrated post-fire vegetation models and showed that models for undisturbed forests from the literature mostly underestimate post-fire AGB. Using models from the literature for clear-cuts often improved the estimation of post-fire AGB, but still failed to estimate AGB accurately for some species. Inaccurate estimation of post-fire biomass with these other models can be explained by high irradiance and increased nutrient availability on burned sites, which affect tissue and wood density. We showed that own species- and growth group-specific allometric models calibrated to post-fire vegetation are required to correctly estimate the total (above- and belowground) biomass of post-fire vegetation needed to calculate carbon storage.

New localities of some rare bryophyte species in Bulgaria

New localities of some rare bryophyte species in Bulgaria

Influence of Sporophyte Emergence on Phytochemical Constituents and Antimicrobial Activity of Hyophila Involuta (Pottiaceae) – A Bryophyte Species

Hyophila involuta (Hook) Jaeg., a sample collected from a natural population in the Biological Garden, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, was sorted into non-sporophytic and sporophytic gametophytes. This was with a view to investigating the possible influence of sporophyte emergence on the bioactive constituents and the antimicrobial potentials of the moss plant. Aqueous extracts of each of the non-sporophytic and the sporophytic gametophyte samples were prepared, and each was subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses, and antimicrobial potentials tests on selected bacteria and fungi following standard procedures. The results showed both extracts testing positive for alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, and steroids. Quantitatively, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides concentrations were higher in the non-sporophytic than in the sporophytic gametophytes. Nevertheless, the saponins content was higher in sporophytic gametophytes. GC-MS analyses revealed 40 and 46 bioactive compounds in the non-sporophytic and the sporophytic gametophyte samples respectively. The most prominent compound was 1, 13-tetradecadiene (13.62%) in the non-sporophytic gametophyte but cycloheptasiloxane tetradecamethyl- (13.78%) in the sporophytic game-tophyte. Furthermore, the sporophytic gametophyte extract inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida pseudotropicalis while the non-sporophytic gametophyte extract only inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 40 mg/mL except for C. pseudotropicalis (20 mg/mL). This study, therefore, provided insight for investigating the medicinal values of bryophytes and concluded that the emergence of sporophytes on gametophytes of a bryophyte species can vary significantly the synthesis of its biologically active compounds and its antimicrobial activity.

Unearthing the soil-borne microbiome of land plants.

Plant-soil biodiversity interactions are fundamental for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, the existence of a set of globally distributed topsoil microbial and small invertebrate organisms consistently associated with land plants (i.e., their consistent soil-borne microbiome), together with the environmental preferences and functional capabilities of these organisms, remains unknown. We conducted a standardized field survey under 150 species of land plants, including 58 species of bryophytes and 92 of vascular plants, across 124 locations from all continents. We found that, despite the immense biodiversity of soil organisms, the land plants evaluated only shared a small fraction (less than 1%) of all microbial and invertebrate taxa that were present across contrasting climatic and soil conditions and vegetation types. These consistent taxa were dominated by generalist decomposers and phagotrophs and their presence was positively correlated with the abundance of functional genes linked to mineralization. Finally, we showed that crossing environmental thresholds in aridity (aridity index of 0.65, i.e., the transition from mesic to dry ecosystems), soil pH (5.5; i.e., the transition from acidic to strongly acidic soils), and carbon (less than 2%, the lower limit of fertile soils) can result in drastic disruptions in the associations between land plants and soil organisms, with potential implications for the delivery of soil ecosystem processes under ongoing global environmental change.

Strong evidence for latitudinal diversity gradient in mosses across the world

Species richness generally decreases with increasing latitude, a biodiversity gradient that has long been considered as one of the few laws in ecology. This latitudinal diversity gradient has been observed in many major groups of organisms. In plants, the latitudinal diversity gradient has been observed in vascular plants, angiosperms, ferns, and liverworts. However, a conspicuous latitudinal diversity gradient in mosses at a global or continental scale has not been observed until now. Here, we analyze a comprehensive data set including moss species in each band of 20° in latitude worldwide. Our results show that moss species richness decreases strongly with increasing latitude, regardless of whether the globe is considered as a whole or different longitudinal segments (e.g., Old World versus New World) are considered separately. This result holds when variation in area size among latitudinal bands is taken into account. Pearson's correlation coefficient between latitude and species richness is −0.99 for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Because bryophytes are an extant lineage of early land plants and because mosses not only include most of extant species of bryophytes but also are important constituents of most terrestrial ecosystems, understanding geographic patterns of mosses is particularly important. The finding of our study fills a critical knowledge gap.

Four Bryophytes species new to Türkiye and South-West Asia

Four Bryophytes species new to Türkiye and South-West Asia

The Impacts of Sunlight on the Lichen Scots Pine Forest Community

The habitat of the lichen Scots pine forest is currently one of the communities that requires attention and active protection due to its rapid disappearance. In our study, we identified factors that can be modified to preserve this habitat. The primary focus of our research was on the significance of tree height and sunlight in fostering the development of a lichen-rich layer within the lichen Scots pine forest. Additionally, we investigated the environmental factors influencing the presence of specific species of lichens and bryophytes, including those that form communities and those that displace species characteristic of the lichen Scots pine forest community. Our study was conducted in Bory Tucholskie National Park (N-W Poland) using 20 experimental sites and 248 point-frame plots from spring 2021 to winter 2022. Fieldwork involved species surveys, measurements of photosynthetic activity in lichens and bryophytes, and collection of environmental data. Through parametric testing, modeling, and mapping, our main findings confirmed that light availability, influenced by tree height, is a critical factor in maintaining a well-preserved lichen-rich layer and facilitating habitat reintroduction.