Bryophyte Vegetation Research Articles

Understorey vegetation in young naturally regenerated and planted birch (Betula spp.) stands on abandoned agricultural land

The abandonment of agricultural lands in Northern and Eastern Europe increases the area covered by first generation forests, which are either formed as an outcome of secondary succession or established as plantations. However, questions remain as to how these new stands develop and what kind of species they favour, which in turn has impacts on their ecological and economical value. Our aim was to compare understorey vascular plant and bryophyte vegetation characteristics between naturally regenerated and planted birch stands on abandoned agricultural sites in Estonia, focusing on the aspects of species richness and forest understorey recovery. Species richness and diversity of vascular plants were similar in both stand types but the number of forest vascular plant species was significantly higher in naturally regenerated stands. The bryophyte layer of naturally regenerated stands had a higher species richness, diversity, and number of forest bryophyte species. The higher number of forest vascular plant and bryophyte species in naturally regenerated stands can be explained by the longer undisturbed succession period. The recovery of the forest understorey was unaffected by former agricultural land use (crop field or grassland). The influence of soil properties on the recovery of the forest understorey was not detected, but the number of vascular plant species that grow in forests as well as in grasslands was negatively correlated with distance from forest. Overall, understorey vegetation of natural and planted birch stands did not reveal substantial differences. However, in the case of vigorous natural birch regeneration in the vicinity of forest land, unassisted reforestation should be favoured.

Les bryophytes du corridor alluvial de la vallée du Rhône : flore, végétation et fonctionnalité

Bryophytes of the Rhône alluvial complexes : flora, vegetation and functionality. Bryophytes are still too rarely used in ecological diagnostic, in particular in alluvial systems. The surveys carried out on a section of the Rhône, going from Jonage to Montélimar, allowed to draw up a first synthesis of the bryoflora and to describe the bryophyte vegetation of the Rhône alluvial complexes. The river dynamics (erosion, sedimentation, flooding) has fundamental consequences from floristic and vegetation points of view. The ecological constraints (hydric, nutrients), expressed from the main channel up to the flood plain, are responsible for a high floristic and vegetation richness. The anthropization, although a factor of enrichment, represents a major degradation of the typical bryoflora of the connected alluvial system. In highly artificialized systems, the disconnection allows the preservation of refugium habitats. The preservation of the bryophytic heritage rests on a subtle balance between re-energization of the river and management of the human pressure.

Impact of land-use intensity and productivity on bryophyte diversity in agricultural grasslands.

While bryophytes greatly contribute to plant diversity of semi-natural grasslands, little is known about the relationships between land-use intensity, productivity, and bryophyte diversity in these habitats. We recorded vascular plant and bryophyte vegetation in 85 agricultural used grasslands in two regions in northern and central Germany and gathered information on land-use intensity. To assess grassland productivity, we harvested aboveground vascular plant biomass and analyzed nutrient concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg. Further we calculated mean Ellenberg indicator values of vascular plant vegetation. We tested for effects of land-use intensity and productivity on total bryophyte species richness and on the species richness of acrocarpous (small & erect) and pleurocarpous (creeping, including liverworts) growth forms separately. Bryophyte species were found in almost all studied grasslands, but species richness differed considerably between study regions in northern Germany (2.8 species per 16 m2) and central Germany (6.4 species per 16 m2) due environmental differences as well as land-use history. Increased fertilizer application, coinciding with high mowing frequency, reduced bryophyte species richness significantly. Accordingly, productivity estimates such as plant biomass and nitrogen concentration were strongly negatively related to bryophyte species richness, although productivity decreased only pleurocarpous species. Ellenberg indicator values for nutrients proved to be useful indicators of species richness and productivity. In conclusion, bryophyte composition was strongly dependent on productivity, with smaller bryophytes that were likely negatively affected by greater competition for light. Intensive land-use, however, can also indirectly decrease bryophyte species richness by promoting grassland productivity. Thus, increasing productivity is likely to cause a loss of bryophyte species and a decrease in species diversity.

A Synopsis of the Italian Bryophyte Vegetation

Abstract A compilation of the bryophyte syntaxa known to date from Italy is presented. The 135 associations and 28 subassociations are included in 19 alliances, 42 orders and 12 bryosociological classes. All the syntaxa reported were critically revised from the nomenclatural and syntaxonomical point of view. In the syntaxonomical scheme, for higher phytosociological units (classes, orders and alliances), the ecological features are summarized. The synonyms used in Italy and the characteristic and differential species of each syntaxon are also included. Finally, the distribution of each association and subassociation in the Italian administrative regions is given using the numerical references assigned to the corresponding bibliographic source in References.

Soil physico-chemical characteristics of bryophytic vegetation residing Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

The present study was undertaken at eight different sites of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) of Garhwal Himalaya, India to understand the physico-chemical properties of soils and influence of bryophytic communities on the status of nutrient availability. In the bryophytes dominated sites the values of organic carbon (0.21%) and nitrogen (0.04%) were found to be low as compared to values for forest soils dominated by higher plants which suggests that bryophytes prefer to occupy the barren sites with low organic matter. Mean available phosphorus content in soil of various sites varied between 13.02 Kgha -1 and 16.28 Kgha -1 with estimated mean exchangeable potassium content ranged between 145.60 Kgha -1 and 216.16 Kgha -1 . A significant negative correlation between soil temperature and moisture content was observed, whereas organic carbon and available phosphorus exhibited significantly positive correlation. Besides the characteristics of soil underneath the bryophytic vegetation, the study also highlights the kind of bryophytes communities found along altitudinal variation and soil types.

Soil physico-chemical characteristics of bryophytic vegetation residing Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Soil physico-chemical characteristics of bryophytic vegetation residing Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Bryophyte coastal vegetation of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park (S Italy) as a tool for ecosystem assessment

The bryophyte vegetation of the coastal area of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park has been investigated. The phytosociological study has emphasized the occurrence of many associations of the phytosociological classes Barbuletea unguiculatae, Pleurochaeto squarrosae-Abietinelletea abietinae, Cladonio digitatae-Lepidozietea reptantis, Grimmietea anodontis, and Frullanio dilatatae-Leucodontetea sciuroidis. Among these, Barbuletum convolutae, Didymodonto vinealis-Tortuletum muralis, and Funarietum hygrometricae show a strong human impact. On the contrary, the epiphytic associations (Syntrichietum laevipilae, Leucodonto sciuroidis-Leptodontetum smithii, and Fabronietum pusillae), as well as Tortelletum papillosissimae, Rhynchostegielletum algirianae, Tortello flavovirentis-Trichostometum crispuli, and Rhynchostegietum megapolitani, show a good degree of naturalness and air purity. This is revealed by the bryovegetational analysis based on biological and ecological parameters (life form, ratio St/We, life strategy, sensibility to air pollution and human impact) that can be interpreted to provide useful information about the quality and the health of the environment. Moreover, a new association, Gongylanthetum ericetori, is described here.

Epiphytic Lichen and Bryophyte Vegetation as a Bioindicator of Air Pollution

Epiphytic Lichen and Bryophyte Vegetation as a Bioindicator of Air Pollution

Environmental drivers, life strategies and bioindicator capacity of bryophyte communities in high-latitude headwater streams

This study reports an investigation of the bryophyte ecology of minimally impacted high-latitude headwater streams, to assess the hypothesis that underlying geology, water physico-chemistry, current velocity and substrate morphology are significant environmental drivers of the species distribution, community composition and abundance of bryophyte vegetation in these naturally highly stressed and disturbed upland ecosystems. Our secondary aim was to determine whether there is evidence that the assemblage and functional attributes of the species present have potential as indicators of water quality and habitat biointegrity in high-latitude headwater streams. The methodology involved repeated intensive surveys, during 2005–2006, at nine sites located on three streams of contrasting underlying geology, within latitudes 56°–58°N, in upland Scotland. Using a stratified random sampling design, quantitative assessments were made of 5 stream vegetation parameters and 52 environmental variables potentially influencing the target sites. TWINSPAN classification, supported by CCA ordination, of the dataset identified four stream bryophyte community types, plus a fifth sample group (characterized by unstable habitat conditions) devoid of bryophytes. The environmental drivers of the vegetation community were primarily associated with streambed stability (flow, substrate composition) and water chemistry (e.g. pH, conductivity, Ca2+), which were products of the prevailing underlying geology. The abundance of stream bryophytes was generally a function of predominant growth morphology and life strategy of the species present. Two bryophyte assemblages were identified as characterizing either upland oligotrophic stream habitats of acid-sensitive and base-poor waters (indicators: Scapania undulata, Hygrohypnum ochraceum), or calcareous and mineral-rich streamwaters (indicators: Chiloscyphus polyanthus, Hygrohypnum luridum). The results support the incorporation of bryophytes into river biomonitoring schemes, for use in high-latitude upland streams.

Bryophyte dispersal by sheep on dry grassland

Many bryophytes may depend on epizoochorous dispersal by large mammals for maintaining their populations and colonizing new habitats. On dry grassland we investigated the transport of bryophyte diaspores by sheep, which are known to be effective epizoochorous dispersal vectors of seed plants. Twelve sheep of two breeds were examined by collecting gametophyte fragments from their fleece and hooves. Furthermore, microscopic diaspores from the soil adhering to the hooves were grown in a greenhouse. Species frequency and composition were compared to bryophyte vegetation on the pasture. Considerable amounts of unspecialized gametophyte fragments from 16 moss species, 40% of the species growing on the pasture, were transported by sheep, especially on the belly and the tail. Additionally, we provide first evidence of epizoochorous dispersal of thallus fragments from fruticose lichens. Sheep breeds differed in species spectrum and frequency, i.e. sheep with dense, curly fleece carried more fragments and larger species than those with smooth and fine hair. Among the dispersed bryophytes pleurocarps, certain taxa, sizes (small species) and life forms (mats) were overrepresented compared to the vegetation of the pasture, while large species, acrocarps, wefts and turfs were underrepresented, reflecting fragmentation and adhesion features of the species. In the hooves mostly acrocarpous colonist species were transported. We conclude that sheep are important dispersal vectors with the potential of long-range dispersal for bryophytes, especially for species without sexual reproduction, and that epizoochorous dispersal of microscopic diaspores might be underestimated in its importance so far.

Advances in ecological modelling of soil properties by self-organizing feature maps of natural environment of Lower Silesia (Poland)

The paper provides the use of self-organizing feature maps for determination of soil properties in its initial stage of development formed of massive rocks and how SOFM can be used for the study of environmental objects. The study area was Lower Silesia (Poland) overgrown with common, unique and protected vegetation of lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants. The parent rock of the studied soils consists of Miocene volcanites from the middle part of the Sudety Margin Fault. Soil samples were collected from 20 sites. The soil reaction (pH) and concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, Ti, Zn in surface soils were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA. The SOFM was used to demonstrate the non-linear ordination and visualization of soil properties. The SOFM showed the influence of parent rock on soil chemical properties generated by it. SOFM appeared to be effective and proper/fit for phenomena and processes taking place in natural environment and is useful in ecology and ought to be taken into account as a possible tool of estimation of various plants and their biotopes. The model can be useful as alternative techniques in modelling the ecological complex data, and provide a novel framework for the discovery and forecasting of ecosystem structure and behaviours in response to environmental changes.

Differential effects of ammonium and nitrate deposition on fen phanerogams and bryophytes

Question: High atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has been shown to affect productivity and species composition of terrestrial ecosystems. This study focused on the differential effects of the two inorganic N forms in atmospheric deposition (i.e. ammonium and nitrate). Methods and location: Nutrient addition experiments were carried out during 4 years in a mesotrophic fen in a low-deposition area in Ireland. In a factorial design, plots were fertilized with ammonium and/or nitrate, in two doses comparable with 35 and 70 kg N ha−1 y−1 and compared with an unfertilized control. Results: Vascular plant biomass as well as bryophyte biomass were not affected by N dose but showed significantly different responses to the N form. In the ammonium-fertilized plots, vascular plant biomass was higher and moss biomass was lower than the control, while nitrate additions had no effect. Vascular plant species density was high (16 species per 0.49 m2) and was not affected by any of the treatments; bryophyte species density was also high (seven species per 0.04 m2) but showed a significant decrease upon ammonium fertilization. Conclusion: The vulnerability of the mesotrophic vegetation to enhanced atmospheric N deposition depends strongly on the N form. If N would be mainly deposited as NOx, no detrimental effects on the vegetation will occur. If, however, the deposition is mainly in the form of NHy, the bryophyte vegetation will be seriously damaged, while the vascular plant vegetation will show an increased biomass production with possible shifts in dominance from Carex and herb species to grasses and shrubs.

Epiphytische Moosvegetation aufAcer campestrein Südwestdeutschland und im Östlichen Frankreich

Philippi, G. 2010. Epiphytic bryophyte vegetation on stems of Acer campestre in SW Germany and the eastern part of France. — Herzogia 23: 269–278.The frequency of epiphytic bryophytes on the stems of Acer campestre in SW Germany and the eastern part of France (Alsace, northern part of Burgundy and southern part of Lorraine) was investigated. More than 130 stems were examined, all growing in forest communities. Isolated trees or trees growing along forest margins were not included. The diameter of the stems was mostly 0.2 to 0.3m. The average number of the observed species is 6 to 8 per stem. The bryophyte vegetation is often very luxuriant and grows on the stems not rarely up to 4 to 5m above the ground. The epiphytic bryophyte flora on Acer campestre is characterized by the dominance of neutrophytic and basiphytic species. Hypnum cupressiforme as an acidophil species was only rarely observed. The absence of Anomodon attenuatus in parts of Burgundy and Lorraine is remarkable. Distinctly different there is the epiphytic bryophyte flora on Acer campestre in areas with a higher air pollution in the Rhine area (western part of the Kaiserstuhl and the region of Mannheim — Ludwigshafen).

Die Moosgesellschaften der Ordnung Hylocomietalia Splendentis Gillet ex Vadam 1990

Abstract: Marstaller, R. 2010. The bryophyte communities of the order Hylocomietalia splendentis Gillet ex Vadam 1990. 141th contribution to the bryophyte vegetation of Thuringia. — Herzogia 23: 279–311. The acidophytic or subneutrophytic bryophyte communities Eurhynchietum striati Wiśn. 1930, Hylocomietum brevirostris ass. nov., Brachythecio rutabuli-Cirriphylletum piliferi ass. nov. and Pleurozietum schreberi Wiśn. 1930 has been described in Thuringia and neighbouring areas. These communities grows on a thin humus layer over rock, on living bark and on rotten wood in forests and margins of forests. Syntaxonomy, phytosociological structure (with 5 vegetation tables), ecology and distribution of these communities are described.

Modelling epiphytic bryophyte vegetation in an urban landscape

Air pollution in the urban environment of Halle, Germany, has significantly decreased over the last decade. We investigated the distribution and recolonization of the epiphytic bryoflora. We tested the hypothesis that after a period of nearly complete absence of epiphytic mosses and liverworts, recolonization would occur first in the most favourable habitats and proceed from there. The aims of the study were to analyse these habitat conditions, to generate habitat models for the most abundant species and to identity favourability of habitats. At the community level, mixed linear models revealed the factors aspect of plots, inclination of trees and landscape features to be of particular relevance to bryophyte diversity and coverage. At the species level, generalized linear mixed models with logit link functions identified aspect, tree inclination and landscape type to be the key habitat factors for most taxa, while identity of the host tree species and stand structure were of minor importance. In general, epiphytic bryophyte vegetation did not attain high coverage and many species occurred only rarely. Thus, significant habitat models were obtained only for frequent species (e.g. Orthotrichum diaphanum) and only with low coefficients of determination. Nevertheless, the results clearly show that species-sorting is an effective mechanism of community assembly even in this early stage of recolonization.

Hyophila involuta (hook.) jaeg. - new addition to the bryoflora of pachmarhi biosphere reserve

Genus Hyophila Brid.; a moss belonging to subfamily Barbuloideae, family Pottiaceae is represented by 7 species in India; out of these, three species: H. involuta (Hook.) Jaeg., H. rosea Williams and H. comosa Dix. et P. Vard. occur in Central India. Earlier H. rosea alone was reported from Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) but during floristic studies of bryophytes of PBR, which is well known for its biodiversity and is rich in bryophytic vegetation, H. involuta has been encountered for the first time. This taxon has been earlier reported from several other localities and shows wide distribution in India in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Assam, South India and Western Himalayas etc. H. involuta is characterised by dioecious plants, erect dark green habit and radiculose stem (5-18 mm in size). Leaves are oblong, spathulate, carinate with percurrent costa, 1.8-2.8 mm x 0.56-0.86 mm, seta erect, capsule cylindrical with beaked operculum. Peristome is absent and spores are small, brown coloured, spherical, 8-12 µm in diameter. The species is distributed in various localities of PBR: Tamia Valley, Jambu Dweep. Near Police Training School, Near Forest Office, Pandav Caves and Bee Fall. H. involuta closely resembles with H. rosea which occurs in the same vicinity, in leaf size and shape, leaf cells and shape of capsule; however, it differs in its radiculose habit, uniform leaf arrangement, longer seta and smaller spores from the latter species.

Changes of aquatic-riparian bryophyte vegetation between 1991–1992 and 2004 in the Szigetköz branch-system after the diversion of the Danube

In 1992 a 120 km long section of the Danube river, part of the border line between Hungary and Slovakia, was diverted into a new riverbed to put into operation the Gabčikovo (Bős-Nagymaros) Hydropower Plant. To follow up the environmental changes a monitoring system in the Szigetköz region, seriously affected by the diversion of the river, was established by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Results of the bryological monitoring work, conducted in the river branches are presented in this article. Today, the species composition of the aquatic-riparian bryophyte vegetation living in the various sections of the Szigetköz branch-system is different from that of 1991–1992. The abundance-frequency values of aquatic species have decreased, while the proportions of mesophilous long-lived species and short-lived bryophytes have increased. The changes of water requirement spectra of bryophyte vegetation and the growing importance of certain species groups indicate that the ecological conditions became drier. Apparently, the water supply system operated from 1995 provides insufficient amount of water and is inadequate to stop (and even less so to reverse) the environmental changes that took place in the branch-systems.

Stratigraphy, palynology, and conchostracans of a Lower Cretaceous sequence at the Cañadón Calcáreo locality, Extra-Andean central Patagonia: age and palaeoenvironmental significance

The first palynologic record in a Lower Cretaceous sequence at the Cañadón Calcáreo locality of Extra-Andean central Patagonia is presented. It contributes a more precise chronology and palaeoenvironmental characterization of the sequence. The conchostracan faunal records support the palynologic results. Sedimentary environments are studied in relation to a tectogenetic development model. Detailed measurement of stratigraphic/sedimentologic sections in the field was complemented by sampling for palynology, conchostracans and sedimentary facies/microfacies analysis. The depositional environment is lacustrine/palustrine in the lower part, grading to fluvial. The middle and upper sections of the unit are fluvial and characterized by prevailing sandstones, conglomerates and tuffs. Dominant genera of the palynoflora are Classopollis and Callialasporites, with an incipient presence of Cyclusphaera. The prevalence of the thermophilous genus Classopollis indicates warm climatic conditions, and the high frequency and diversity of trilete spores, corresponding to a hygrophile vegetation of ferns and bryophytes, indicates locally humid conditions. The fauna of conchostracans identified is composed of species of the genera Nemestheria ( Zhestheria), Pseudestherites, Euestheria?, and probably Congestheriella. A Valanginian age is inferred for the middle part of the sequence.

Vegetation development on extensive vegetated green roofs: Influence of substrate composition, establishment method and species mix

Technology for establishment of vegetated roofs (green roofs) has developed rapidly over recent years but knowledge about how these systems will develop over time is still limited. This study investigates vegetation development on unfertilised thin extensive vegetated roofs during a 3-year period. The vegetation systems investigated were designed to be low maintenance and had a saturated weight of 50 kg/m 2, a thickness of 4 cm and drought-resistant succulent and bryophyte vegetation. Vegetation development was investigated in relation to: establishment method, species mixture and substrate composition in a factorial experiment. Vegetation cover was investigated using point intercept. Moss was found to develop on most substrates and reached more than 80% cover on some plots. Sedum album and Sedum acre were the dominant species on the roofs. S. acre was found to decrease drastically after 2 years. The lack of difference found in this study between the establishment techniques shows that there are other possible marketable ways to construct vegetated roofs in Sweden, as an alternative to vegetation mats. Uniform extensive vegetated roofs with a high dominance of succulent species have limited value for plant biodiversity, as few species establish spontaneously.

都市内復元型ビオトープにおける蘚苔類フロラの変化

To promote the understanding of succession process in artificial urban ecological environments, we invested the changes in bryophyte flora in an urban afforested woodland in Kyoto city. Focusing on three bryophyte functional groups (substrate preference, growth form and reproductive type), we compared the bryophyte flora in 2002 with those in 2007. A total of 41 species were recorded in 2002, and 52 species in 2007. The number of bryophyte species on trunk increased markedly compared to those of bryophyte speceis on other substrates, while bryophytes on rock showed higher turn over rate.From a view point of growth forms, bryophytes of cushion form, thread-like form, small-size appressed form and thalloid form increased greater than bryophytes of other growth forms, and bryophytes of small turf form and squamous form had a higher turn over rate. Additionally, the number of bryophyte species with asexual reproduction invaded more frequently than those of bryophyte species without asexual reproduction. These differences were explained by characteristic of bryophyte functional groups. In conclusion, to restore bryophyte vegetation in this study site based on the concept of potential natural vegetation, planting trees around the site, placing large rocks in the site and maintenance such as weeding were considered to be effective for the restoration of native bryophyte vegetation. Moreover, it was possible that introducing bryophyte species with poor dispersal ability into this site was needed for the restoration.