Bryophyte Communities Research Articles

Novedades para la flora de briófitos de la provincia de Chaco, norte de Argentina

Background and aim: Bryophytes are an important group of plants in forest ecosystems that act as primary colonizers, moisture regulators and nutrient fixers. Due to their sensitivity to disturbance, they are used as bioindicators in impact studies. Nevertheless, there are extensive areas poorly studied that currently are undergoing significant changes due to agricultural and livestock practices, as is the case in Chaco. As part of a major project which aims to determine the impact on land-use change on the bryophyte diversity in Chaco, samples collected in the region have been analyzed with the aim of updating knowledge of the bryophyte flora in the province. M&M: Samples from preserved and non-preserved areas from Chaco were studied according to the traditional techniques for bryophytes and mounted in water-glycerin-phenol or Hoyer´s solution. Results: As a result, 26 species distributed in 19 genera and 13 families, are newly recorded to Chaco province. Conclusions: The results improved our understanding of a poorly explored flora in a region with unique characteristics. These findings reinforce the value of floristic studies to collect data about poorly known species and their distribution, and to provide a basis for applied studies. In Argentina, despite efforts made in recent decades, there is still a lack of understanding regarding bryophyte diversity. This, combined with rapid changes in land use, may lead to the alteration or disappearance of bryophyte communities before they are even studied.

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.

EBryoSoil: a citizen science application to monitor changes in soil ecosystems.

Biological soil covers (BSCs) play a pivotal role in ecosystem functioning by enhancing soil stability, mediating nutrient cycling, and influencing soil hydrology. Recognized as ecosystem engineers, they can physically modify, maintain, or create habitats, facilitating plant community development. Through these intricate interactions, BSCs contribute significantly to ecological processes, highlighting their importance in the overall health and functionality of the ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Here we present the results obtained from the contributions of the citizen scientists uploaded from November 2019 to January 2021 with eBryoSoil, an app that allows citizens to participate in mapping the BSC communities across the Iberian Peninsula. Here, we emphasize the importance of habitats and consequently, their interaction with climatic variables for the persistence of BSCs (lichens and bryophytes). Conservation efforts targeted at preserving diverse habitats are essential to ensure the continued presence of lichen and bryophyte communities. Despite challenges posed by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, this citizen science project demonstrated success in utilizing a specifically tailored app to gather valuable information on BSC communities, providing insights into their vulnerability to climate change. This program serves as an illustrative example of how citizen science can effectively identify and study vulnerable habitats, offering a blueprint for future studies focused on understudied organisms.

The affinity of vascular plants and bryophytes to forest microclimate buffering

Abstract With recent advances in technology and modelling, ecologists are increasingly advised to use microclimate, not the usual coarse scale macroclimate based on weather stations, to better reflect the proximal conditions that species experience. This is especially relevant in forest ecosystems, where natural disturbances and management create substantial heterogeneity in microclimates. Under dense canopies, species may experience buffered (less extreme) microclimate temperatures relative to macroclimate, as well as increased relative humidity, reduced light and wind. Focusing on understorey plants, we investigated species response curves to the buffering capacity of the canopy layer, measured as the log‐transformed slope parameter of the microclimate to macroclimate linear relationship. If lower or higher than zero, microclimate temperatures are buffered or amplified, respectively, relative to macroclimate. During leaf‐on conditions (July–September 2021), we measured hourly microclimate temperatures in 157 plots across three temperate deciduous forests with contrasted macroclimates. We used paired hourly macroclimate measurements from nearby weather stations to derive the slope parameter, quantifying microclimate buffering. We surveyed vascular plant and bryophyte communities in 400 m2 plots centred on our microclimate sensors. Species were classified into three groups of forest affinity: core specialists; edge specialists; and generalists. We fitted generalized linear mixed‐effects models, by forest affinity group and by species, to obtain logistic response curves of the probability of occurrence against microclimate buffering. The species' optimum was computed as the microclimate effect that maximizes the species' probability of presence. We found contrasted microclimate preferences: Most bryophytes as well as the vascular plants classified as forest core specialists had an optimum in microclimate buffering, while forest edge specialists and generalists among vascular plants had an optimum in microclimate amplification. As canopies undergo increased disturbance frequency and intensity, more generalists and less forest core specialists might thus be expected in understorey communities, especially for bryophytes. Synthesis. Understorey plants have a species‐specific affinity to the forest microclimate, which we quantify for the first time. The investigation of species response curves to microclimate processes—buffering or amplification—can improve our understanding of the ecology of understorey plants, and help us anticipate their redistribution under climate change.

Changes in bryophyte communities and their functional traits along black alder swamp forest chronosequence

Changes in bryophyte communities and their functional traits along black alder swamp forest chronosequence

Environmental determinants of bryophyte community change over time

AbstractEnvironmental factors mediating community change over time have been well documented for vascular plants, but not for their non‐vascular relatives, bryophytes. Elevation is one variable that has been explored regarding bryophyte community change wherein as elevation increases, bryophyte communities increase in diversity and abundance, whereas diversity and abundance decline for vascular plant communities. This begs the question, how might other environmental variables such as slope and aspect influence bryophyte communities, and how might these variables drive community changes over time? Our study focused on bryophyte communities in high elevation, spruce‐fir zones in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), located in the Southeastern United States to answer this question. Plots established in 2007 were revisited and reinventoried in 2020. Comparisons were drawn to determine whether changes in bryophyte coverage corresponded to canopy cover change and environmental factors including elevation, slope, and aspect. Diversity and abundance at the two timepoints were analyzed. Alpha diversity and turnover across orders of q were compared for different elevation zones. Bryophyte alpha diversity at q = 0 significantly declined over time in association with elevation, but at q = 2, changes in alpha diversity varied according to changes in gap fraction, a measure of canopy cover, and slope. Bryophyte coverage remained stable except in the highest elevation zone dominated by fir trees where there was a decline in coverage predicted by aspect. There were high rates of turnover across all elevation zones regardless of Hill number. In contrast with other studies which examine how environmental variables mediate community changes at q = 0, the species richness of a community, our study shows that the environmental drivers of bryophyte community change vary depending on how abundance is weighted.

Bryophyte vegetation of Bashkiria, South Urals. V. On the bryophyte communities of the southern Kraka range

Bryophyte vegetation of Bashkiria, South Urals. V. On the bryophyte communities of the southern Kraka range

Epiphytic bryophyte communities of the Dendrological Park “Olexandria” of the NAS of Ukraine

The article presents the results of research on epiphytic bryophyte communities of the Dendrological Park “Olexandria”. The study was conducted in the historical part of the arboretum in 2021. Among the investigated phorophytes were the following tree species: Acer platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Carpinus betulus, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur, Populus sp., Salix babylonica, and some others.The research results showed that the epiphytic bryophyte vegetation of the historical part of the Dendrological Park “Olexandria” is represented by two unranked communities and 11 associations belonging to six unions, four orders, and three classes. The most widespread in the arboretum are the associations Dicrano scoparii-Hypnetum filiformis, Platygyrietum repentis, Leskeetum polycarpae, and the rankless community Leucodon sciuroides of the class Frullanio dilatatae-Leucodontetea sciuroidis.It is shown that in terms of the number of detected bryophyte associations, the Dendrological Park “Olexandria” is similar to the National Nature Park “Homilsha Woods”, which is located in the Kharkiv region (hosts 11 reported associations) and the Nature Reserve “Kanivskyi” in the Cherkasy region (12 reported associations). However, it is poorer than the National Nature Park “Holosiivskyi” in Kyiv, where 16 bryoassociations were registered.

Changes in bryophyte functional composition during post-fire succession

Climate and land-use changes are altering fire regimes in many regions around the world. To date, most studies have focused on the effects of altered fire regimes on woody and herbaceous communities, while the mechanisms driving post-fire bryophyte succession remain poorly understood, particularly in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Here, we examined changes in bryophyte functional composition along a post-fire chronosequence (ranging from 1 to 20+ years) in Pyrenean oak woodlands (northeastern Portugal). To do so, we defined bryophyte functional groups based on seven morphological, reproductive, and life history traits. Then, we fitted linear and structural equation models to disentangle the direct and indirect effects of fire (time since fire and fire intensity), vegetation structure, climate, topography, and edaphic conditions on the abundance of each group. We identified two main functional groups: early colonizers (species with traits associated with strong colonization ability and desiccation tolerance) and perennial stayers (species with high competitive ability, i.e., large perennial mosses). Overall, the abundance of early colonizer species decreased with time since fire and increased with fire intensity, while the opposite was observed for perennial stayers. Thus, successional dynamics reflected a trade-off between species' competitive and colonization abilities, highlighting the role of biotic interactions later in succession. Patterns of functional composition were also consistent with changes in environmental conditions during succession, suggesting that species may experience stressful conditions (i.e., high radiation and low water availability) in early stages of post-fire succession. Our results also indicate that increased fire intensity may alter successional trajectories, leading to long-term changes in bryophyte communities. By understanding the response of bryophyte communities to fire, we were able to identify species with potential use as soil restoration materials.

Vegetation mosaic shaping bryophyte diversity in a threatened ecosystem: A case study of Brazilian Cangas (ferruginous rupestrian fields)

The Canga vegetation in Brazil is a unique ecosystem found on ironstone outcrops, known as ferruginous rupestrian fields, and is considered one of the most diverse in the world. This mosaic landscape, comprised of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation, is home to a diverse range of plants, including angiosperm, bryophytes, and lichens. To understand the effect of Cangas' patchy landscape, here called mesohabitats, on bryophyte communities, we asked the following questions: Do the diversity parameters such as richness, abundance and composition of bryophytes differ along the different Cangas’ mesohabitats? Do bryophyte assemblages group by functional traits and filter per mesohabitat? We surveyed eight sites in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Iron Quadrangle), southeast Brazil. We collected and analysed data on bryophyte diversity and functional traits in three different mesohabitats: exposed areas (EA), shrub associations (SA), and tree associ ations (TA). The diversity of both groups was tested using one-way ANOVA; and functional traits were addressed with a Factorial Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD). There are significant differences in the diversity of bryophytes among the mesohabitats, with TA having the highest diversity and abundance of liverworts and mosses, followed by SA and EA. The study also found bryophyte assemblies with similar functional traits in similar mesohabitats across the Brazilian Quadrilátero Ferrífero. The research revealed that the different mesohabitats provided important and distinct niches for bryophytes in Cangas, and this threatened ecosystem's high diversity must be considered when developing conservation strategies. This entails land managers adopting effective approaches aimed at improving both the quality and connectivity of habitats, fostering biodiversity, and bolstering the resilience of the ecosystem.

Ecological indicator values of understorey plants perform poorly to infer forest microclimate temperature

AbstractQuestionEcological indicator values (EIVs) reflect species‘ optimal conditions on an environmental gradient, such as temperature. Averaged over a community, they are used to quantify thermophilization stemming from climate change, i.e. the reshuffling of communities toward more warm‐adapted species. In forests, understorey plant communities do not keep up with global warming and accumulate a climatic debt. Although the causes are still debated, this thermal lag may be partly explained by forest microclimate buffering. For the first time, we test whether community means of EIVs are able to capture microclimate (here, under forest canopies) temperature across, or also within forests.Location157 forest plots across three French deciduous forests covering a large macroclimatic gradient.MethodsTo assess whether EIVs can be used to infer the mean and range of microclimate temperature in forests, we measured understorey air temperature for ca. 1 year (10 months) with sensors located 1 m above the ground. We surveyed bryophytes and vascular plants within 400‐m2 plots, and computed floristic temperature from ordinal‐scale EIVs (Ellenberg, Julve) and degree‐scale EIVs (ClimPlant, Bryophytes of Europe Traits) for both temperature and continentality, i.e. temperature annual range. Finally, we fitted linear models to assess whether EIVs could explain the mean and range of microclimate temperature in forests.ResultsVascular plant and bryophyte communities successfully reflected differences in mean annual temperatures across forests but largely failed to do so for microclimate variation within forests. Bryophytes did not perform better than vascular plants to infer microclimate conditions. The annual range of microclimate temperatures was poorly associated with ordinal‐scale EIVs for continentality but was positively correlated with degree‐scale EIVs for annual range within lowland forests, especially for vascular plant communities.ConclusionOverall, the capabilities of EIVs to infer microclimate was inconsistent. Refined EIVs for temperature are needed to capture forest microclimates experienced by understorey species.

Species Composition of Bryophytic Flora along Altitudinal Gradient in Mt. Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines

A floristic assessment was conducted in Mt. Musuan Bukidnon, the Philippines – an isolated, low grass-covered andesitic lava dome and tuff cone. Two 50-m transect lines were established in each of the altitudinal gradients (350–400, 401–451, 452–502, 503–553, 554–604, and 605 + masl) in the mountain slope to sample the bryophyte communities. The study compared the bryophyte populations between six altitudinal gradients and analyzed their altitudinal distribution. Results revealed a total of 56 species of bryophytes belonging to 39 genera and 21 families. Of these, 39 are moss species with 29 genera and 16 families. Sixteen (16) species are liverworts with nine genera and four families. One hornwort was encountered. The greatest number of bryophytes were documented between 452–502 masl, whereas the fewest number occurred between 350–400 and 605 masl and near the summit. The two most abundant bryophyte species were Octoblepharum albidum Hedw. and Hyophila involuta (Hook.) A. Jaeger, which are widely distributed in all altitudinal gradients. The findings from this research will offer valuable insights that can promote the implementation of efficient management strategies and initiatives for conserving biodiversity across different altitudinal gradients. This is particularly vital because bryophytes are known to be highly susceptible to human- induced threats and the influences of changing environmental conditions.

Interspecific competition affects spore germination and gametophore development of mosses

Background Interactions between moss species in their earliest growth stages have received little attention. To what extent interspecific competition or priority effects influence spore germination, protonemal development and gametophore emergence is unknown. We evaluated such effects in pairwise interaction between six common bryophyte species: Atrichum undulatum, Bryum argenteum, Ceratodon purpureus, Funaria hygrometrica, Hypnum cupressiforme, Leptobryum pyriforme Methods Interspecific interactions were assessed in vitro. Spores were sterilized and sown on agar plates in three treatments: 1) as single species cultures (controls), 2) as pairwise species cultures inoculated simultaneously, and 3) with a time lag of 20 days between species. Data on time needed for spore germination, germination rate, the time needed for gametophore differentiation, number of gametophores per germinated spore and average diameter of colonies were collected. We also performed spore germination tests in single-species cultures at the start and end of the study, as well as tests for density-dependency at spore germination and gametophore formation. Results We observed strong pairwise interactive effects when sowing spores of different species simultaneously or with a delay of 20 days. The results indicate that spore germination is often inhibited by interspecific competition. The first species has an advantage as compared to the later colonizing species, i.e., an apparent priority effect. Interspecific interactions were also evident during gametophore development and included both inhibition and facilitation. Conclusion We found pronounced differences in the relative performance of species in interaction with other species during spore germination and gametophore formation. Allelopathic effects are the most probable explanation for these observations. Our results under sterile lab conditions are likely to reflect processes that occur in the wild, governing biotic filtering and bryophyte community assembly during primary and secondary colonization.

Coenotic diversity of aquatic vegetation of Altai: a preliminary assessment and a list of white spots

The relevance of fundamental hydrobotanical research in the Altai-Sayan ecoregion is due to poor hydrobiological knowledge and the lack of regular monitoring studies of lakes, which are currently actively used for recreational and fish breeding purposes. Within the framework of the project “The current state of the macrophytobenthos of the Altai lakes (ecological and geographical patterns of distribution and threats)”, supported by the Russian Science Foundation, the author began a work on the systematization and interpretation of information on the current state of the vegetation of lakes of various altitude levels in the foothill and mountainous regions of Altai in the Republic of Altai and Altai Territory. A preliminary list of the coenotic diversity of the aquatic vegetation of Altai was compiled within the Brown-Blanquet approach, which includes 6 associations of the class Lemnetea, 21 associations of the class Potamogetonetea and 8 associations of the class Littorelletea uniflorae. A list of syntaxa, first indicated for the region, is given. The main “white spots” in the study of aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation are listed. These are the lack of information about the communities of macroalgae and bryophytes, the lack of reliable data on communities formed by hybrids of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, confirmed by molecular taxonomy data, and the lack of information on the long-term dynamics of macrophytobenthos in Altai lakes.

Effects of Fire on Pyrodiversity of Terricolous Non-Tracheophytes Photoautotrophs in a Páramo of Southern Ecuador

The páramos have a great diversity of flora, including terricolous non-tracheophyte photoautotrophs (bryophytes and lichens). Bryophytes and lichens are very sensitive to environmental changes related to anthropogenic fires, livestock, and agricultural activities. We determined for the first time in Ecuador the effects of prescribed fires on the pyrodiversity of terricolous non-tracheophyte photoautotroph in a páramo of South Ecuador. Three permanent sampling plots (T1, T2, and control) were established, each with a dimension of 4 m × 20 m and separated by 3 m (T1: one with fire-induced uphill and T2: one with fire-induced downhill and one control). They were installed in three different blocks, obtaining a total of nine plots. Three samplings (2, 6, and 12 months) were carried out in each plot, where the cover and richness of terricolous bryophytes and lichens were estimated in 216 quadrats of 20 × 30 cm. A total of 27 species (11 lichens and 16 bryophytes) were studied, where the lichen families, that is, Cladoniaceae and Baeomycetaceae, as well as the bryophytes families, namely, Dicranaceae, Jungermanniaceae, Bartramiaceae, Rhacocarpaceae, and Pallaviciniaceae, have been recorded as pioneers in areas under fire effects. Richness and diversity (calculated using the Shannon–Weaver and Simpson indexes) were affected by fire treatments; on the other hand, monitoring time (M3) positively affected species diversity. The composition of terrestrial non-tracheophyte photoautotroph communities showed slight changes between the control and T1 and T2, but the changes were more marked with time after the burns (M1 vs. M3), related to fire severity. Therefore, terricolous lichen and bryophyte communities (richness and diversity) can be used as model organisms for the assessment of the effects of prescribed fires on tropical páramos for subsequent management and conservation.

Community assembly in epiphytic bryophyte communities along the vertical gradient in a Colombian tropical rainforest

Community assembly in epiphytic bryophyte communities along the vertical gradient in a Colombian tropical rainforest

Bryophyte community composition is influenced by microhabitat and cover of vascular plants and lichens in New Zealand montane forest

ABSTRACT Bryophytes are important to terrestrial ecosystems, as they build soil and improve habitats for vascular plants. We investigated the influence of substrate pH, light, and cover of lichens and vascular plants on bryophyte communities in different microhabitats near the Lewis Pass. The effect of tree diameter and trunk aspect on epiphytic communities was also examined. In total, 30 bryophyte species were identified in 98 0.25 m2 quadrats in five forest microhabitats (kānuka/mānuka and beech forest floor, beech tree trunks, and streamside and decomposing wood in beech forest). Bryophyte community composition in streamside microhabitats differed from all other microhabitats. Bryophyte community composition on the beech forest floor differed from the community on kānuka/mānuka forest floor; these differences were correlated with vascular plant and lichen cover. The composition and cover of epiphytic communities on tree trunks were correlated with aspect and lichen cover, there was no effect of tree diameter. No effect of substrate pH was found, although pH only ranged from 4 to 6. This study is one of the first in New Zealand to study the relationship between environmental factors and bryophyte communities in beech and kānuka/mānuka forests, contributing to our understanding of these understudied, key components of New Zealand forest ecosystems.

Disentangling the roles of chance, abiotic factors and biotic interactions among epiphytic bryophyte communities in a tropical rainforest (Yunnan, China).

Epiphytes offer an appealing framework to disentangle the contributions of chance, biotic and abiotic drivers of species distributions. In the context of the stress-gradient theory, we test the hypotheses that (i) deterministic (i.e., non-random) factors play an increasing role in communities from young to old trees, (ii) negative biotic interactions increase on older trees and towards the tree base, and (iii) positive interactions show the reverse pattern. Bryophyte species distributions and abiotic conditions were recorded on a 1.1 ha tropical rainforest canopy crane site. We analysed co-occurrence patterns in a niche modelling framework to disentangle the roles of chance, abiotic factors and putative biotic interactions among species pairs. 76% of species pairs resulted from chance. Abiotic factors explained 78% of non-randomly associated species pairs, and co-occurrences prevailed over non-coincidences in the remaining species pairs. Positive and negative interactions mostly involved species pairs from the same versus different communities (mosses versus liverworts) and life forms, respectively. There was an increase in randomly associated pairs from large to small trees. No increase in negative interactions from young to old trees or from the canopy to the base was observed. Our results suggest that epiphytic bryophyte community composition is primarily driven by environmental filtering, whose importance increases with niche complexity and diversity. Biotic interactions play a secondary role, with a very marginal contribution of competitive exclusion. Biotic interactions vary among communities (mosses versus liverworts) and life forms, facilitation prevailing among species from the same community and life form, and competition among species from different communities and life forms.

Bryophyte vegetation of Bashkiria, Ssouth Urals. IV. On the bryophyte communities in Belaya River valley, Bashkortostan

Bryophyte vegetation of Bashkiria, Ssouth Urals. IV. On the bryophyte communities in Belaya River valley, Bashkortostan

Opposite effects of host tree species on the realised niche of Dicranum viride – A model species belonging to the group of endangered epiphytes

Functional diversity is widely recognised as the key to understanding the role of ecological mechanisms in shaping the patterns of species co-existence across different environmental gradients. Despite research in this area, there is a considerable knowledge gap on the ecological mechanisms that shape the composition of bryophyte communities, especially those at risk. One of the most endangered group of species are usually woodland specialist bryophytes, therefore, understanding the factors determining their occurrence should be a priority. One of the model species belonging to this group is Dicranum viride, a target species of international conservation importance, and of particular interest for forest managers responsible for forest ecosystems protection.We examined the effect of the tree phorophyte species on the realised niche of D. viride in the temperate forest ecosystems. The specific tree species that D. viride inhabits greatly influences its realised niche. Both phorophyte species we examined, i.e. Fagus sylvatica and Carpinus betulus, can sustain the presence of D. viride, but the key determinant is the availability of suitable microhabitats, such as specific combinations of bryophyte species within bark irregularities. Our findings indicate that even in regions where the effects of forest management are noticeable, the preservation of trees with diverse microhabitats facilitate the existence of rare moss species with D. viride as an example.As a moss with a narrow ecological amplitude, D. viride occurrence patterns can be used as a tool in monitoring studies and for improving forest management strategies aimed at harmonising wood production with the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. As a result, this information can be significant for conservation strategies, as it highlights the importance of identifying and preserving certain tree species to protect both particular epiphyte communities and individual target species.