Bryophyte Species Diversity Research Articles

Fires in the face of climate change: Indicators of fire disturbance in heath areas – Inference from military training lands

Global warming significantly affects the frequency and intensity of wildfires in many fire-prone areas of the world and fire disturbance regimes are changing rapidly. Alongside this, controlled burning is often considered or implemented as an alternative method for nature protection. Here, we studied the post-fire secondary succession in dry heath habitat located in military training grounds to recognise the impact of fire on the effectiveness and rate of ecosystem recovery. We focus particularly on identifying indicator species for a given successional phase of Central European dry heath habitats and assessing their value for dating the last fire disturbance. The research involved 60 vegetation patches (plots of 25 m2), which were assigned to four post-fire age classes, namely: 1–5 years (Class A), 6–10 years (Class B), 11–15 years (Class C), and >15 years (Class D). In each study plot, species diversity and coverage of lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants were examined in addition to the physicochemical properties of the soil substrate. Cryptogams and vascular plants clearly differ in terms of the secondary succession pattern; specific sets of cryptogams correspond well to particular post-fire classes and are therefore good determinants of the post-fire succession stage. Spontaneous succession of plant vegetation eventually leads to complete recovery of the heath in a relatively short time. Nevertheless, great vegetation dynamics in the first years after a fire disturbance may result in seemingly different directions of succession. Post-fire classes did not differ noticeably in terms of soil properties, it follows that the effects of fire on soil conditions are negligible; though, a significant upward trend was observed for exchangeable form of K throughout the succession process. Our results indicate that sporadic fires reduce the undesirable overgrowth of heathlands or psamophilous grasslands and generally have a little negative side-effect on the ecosystem. The revealed succession patterns and defined sets of species characteristic for subsequent post-fire age classes are applicable to dating fire disturbances, regardless of whether the fire was planned or spontaneous.

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”.

Delayed response of bryophytes to wind disturbance and salvage logging in hemiboreal mixed forests

Climate change accompanied by altered natural disturbance regimes threatens the resilience of boreal and hemiboreal forests. Bryophytes, an important part of plant biomass and diversity, fulfill numerous important functions in forests, thus markedly contributing to the resilience of these ecosystems. We studied abundance, richness, diversity and community composition of bryophyte species 20–21 years after wind disturbance in moderately damaged, heavily damaged and heavily damaged and subsequently salvage-logged stands; overmature forest stands with similar tree species composition were included in the study as a reference group. The community characteristics were linked with treatment and accompanying environmental variables. Altogether, 108 bryophyte taxa (81 mosses and 27 liverworts) were identified in study plots. We found that bryophytes responded to windthrow severity level and salvage logging in terms of species richness, diversity, and composition; diversity of microhabitats was the most important environmental variable explaining the variation in diversity metrics. Besides exhibiting greater overall species richness, uncleared wind-disturbed plots contained more bryophyte species with high conservational value as well, compared to salvage-logged and control plots. The largest number of bryophyte taxa was associated with deadwood substrates. Ordination analysis further emphasized the importance of deadwood substrate for liverworts. In order to fulfill the objective of biodiversity conservation, wind-disturbed forests should be left to recover naturally, to ensure a favorable status of all naturally occurring species and to improve the status of endangered and rare species. Retaining a proportion of surviving and/or wind-damaged trees while salvaging might also alleviate the unfavorable environmental conditions for bryophyte species while “lifeboating” some species through the following successional stages.

Species diversity and microhabitat characteristics of bryophytes on different types of walls in a karst city Guiyang (SW China)

Species diversity and microhabitat characteristics of bryophytes on different types of walls in a karst city Guiyang (SW China)

Bryophytes in classification and ecology of calcareous beech forests in Central Slovakia

Traditionally, calcareous beech forests were classified and differentiated according to vascular plants. Bryophytes were often omitted or not all substrates were sampled in relevés, and therefore, the role of bryophytes in plant community differentiation remained unclear. In this paper, we studied bryophyte species richness, composition and functional patterns in vegetation units differentiated by vascular plants. We analysed 45 phytosociological relevés from 400 m2 plots in Fagus sylvatica-dominated forests on dolomite bedrock in Central Slovakia. The most frequent among 59 moss and 8 liverwort species was Tortella tortuosa, followed by Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachytheciastrum velutinum and Ctenidium molluscum. Average richness of bryophytes was 8.1 compared to 38.7 species of vascular plants. Seven bryophyte species were significantly linked to a particular vegetation unit. One-way ANOVA showed no noticeable differences in bryophyte species richness between vegetation units. However, it was negatively affected by xericity and positively by cover of rocks on soil surface. CCA revealed that species composition was affected significantly by xericity, cover of bare rocks and cover of tree layer. Mat and turf life forms prevailed, and both long-lived taxa/perennials and short-lived colonists formed the bryophyte layer. Observed bryophyte species grew mostly on rock, living and dead wood, and only minority of them on soil. Therefore, available substrates greatly contributed to the species richness of bryophytes and total plant diversity of the forest community. A complete investigation of substrates is necessary to assess the drivers of bryophyte species distribution and diversity, and their role in classification of calcareous beech forests.

Bryoflora of the Romaniv landscape region and adjacent territories (Lviv region)

Research was conducted on bryophytes of the Romaniv landscape reserve and adjacent territories, which belong to the North-Podilskyi-Dniester key territory of the regional eco-network of the Lviv region. 73 species of bryophytes from the divisions Marchantiophyta (7 species from the class Jungermanniopsida, 4 species – Marchantiopsida) and Bryophyta (2 species from the class Polytrichopsida, 60 species – Bryopsida) were found in the study area. Among the families, Pottiaceae (9 species, 6.6%), Brachytheciaceae (7 species, 5.1%), Mniaceae (6 species, 4.4%), Plagiotheciaceae (6 species, 4.4%), Bryaceae (5 species, 3.7%), Orthotrichaceae (4 species, 2.9%), the rest of the families are oligo- and monospecies. Among the genera are Ptychostomum (4 species, 2.9%), Plagiothecium (4 species, 2.9%), genera Plagiomnium, Didymodon, Tortula and Orthotrichum – 3 species each (2.2%). According to the substrate affiliation, there is the largest number of epigean bryophytes. Epiphytes predominate on the bark of deciduous trees, or in the root zone of beech trees. However, epixillae develop well at various stages of decay in various types of dead wood. Rocky areas in the middle of the forest, which are located outside the reserve have the biggest species diversity of bryophytes Mosses inhabit anthropogenically disturbed biotopes, in particular, sand mining quarries and agricultural land. Based on the geographical analysis, the bryoflora of this territory can be characterized as nemoral-boreal with some arid and cosmopolitan elements. Features of the geographical distribution of bryophytes are large areas, accordingly, the share of endemics among them is insignificant. Regionally rare for the mixed forest zone are Alleniella besseri, Aloina rigida, Marchantia quadrata, Taxiphyllum wissgrillii. For nemoral – Pellia endiviifolia, Porella platyphylla, Lophocolea bidentata, Encalypta streptocarpa. Data on the species composition of bryophytes and their substrate affiliation make it possible to more widely assess the types of biodiversity. The given sozological analysis of the bryoflora points to the need for further detailed research of the bryoflora. An annotated list of bryophytes was drawn up on the basis of bryofloristic studies of the Romaniv landscape reserve and adjacent territories.

Importance of Bark Physicochemical Properties in an Epiphytic Bryophyte Community within a Temperate Deciduous Broadleaf Forest

Epiphytic bryophytes are important components of forest ecosystems and play important roles in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, the main factors driving epiphytic bryophyte diversity remain unclear. We collected the tree epiphytic bryophytes from a one-hectare plot within a temperate deciduous broadleaf forest (China). Canonical correspondence analyses and Mantel tests were used to establish linear regression models and thus dissect the effects of environmental variables (topography, light and bark physicochemical properties) on the species diversity, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity of epiphytic bryophytes. The relationship between environmental variables and epiphytic bryophyte diversity was analyzed using piecewise structural equation modeling. Results showed that the physicochemical properties of the bark directly influenced the species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of the epiphytic bryophytes. The physical and chemical properties of bark also indirectly affected the functional diversity of the epiphytic bryophytes. Elucidation of the factors driving epiphytic bryophyte diversity provides insights into their conservation.

Bryophyte diversity, composition and functional traits in relation to bedrock and tree species composition in close-to-nature managed forests

Bryophytes respond to a variety of environmental factors, including tree species composition and geological conditions, which are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Bryophytes growing on a variety of substrates were identified in ICP Forests monitoring plots in a wide range of close-to-nature managed forests, from lowland to high mountain areas in Slovenia. Based on data on tree layer composition (broadleaves vs. conifers) and on bedrock and soil type (calcareous vs. siliceous bedrock), all study plots were classified into five groups representing forest types. Different ordination analyses and statistical tests were used to represent differences between forest types in bryophyte composition, richness and functional traits. Almost 200 bryophyte species were identified in managed forests, with the most common being Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachytheciastrum velutinum and Polytrichum formosum. Bryophyte species composition varied considerably along the tree species composition and edaphic gradients represented by the selected forest types. Bryophyte species richness was significantly higher on calcareous bedrock than on siliceous bedrock. The higher occurrence of rocks on the ground surface may significantly increase the availability of various microhabitats for bryophytes. Bedrock had a significant influence on the functional diversity and composition of bryophytes, while tree species composition had less influence. Bedrock and tree species composition are important drivers of bryophyte species composition and diversity at taxonomic and functional trait levels. The high diversity of bryophyte species in Slovenian forests can also be attributed to close-to-nature and sustainable forest management practices that preserve favourable microclimatic conditions in forest stands and maintain diverse substrates.

Epiphytic Bryophytes in an Urban Landscape: Which Factors Determine Their Distribution, Species Richness, and Diversity? A Case Study in Wroclaw, Poland.

There is still a lack of knowledge on the effect of urban environmental factors on bryophyte species distribution and richness. The goal of this study was to fill that gap. We assumed the hypothesis that the urban heat island is the most important factor affecting epiphytic bryophyte species in urban space. The survey was based on a network of 500 one hectare study plots, scattered throughout the city of Wrocław (SW Poland). A set of 27 environmental factors was assessed in the field, as well as by the collection, processing, and interpretation of satellite imagery, LiDAR scans, and climatological data. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to evaluate the significance of the effect of the studied variables on the distribution of bryophyte epiphytes. The effect of the normalized difference vegetation index on epiphytic bryophyte distribution and richness was the strongest. The effects of the urban heat island as well as the tree species diversity appeared weaker, though significant. Among the tree stands features, the supply of European ash Fraxinus excelsior and tree height appeared to be the strongest. Maintaining afforested areas rich in old tree individuals with cooler and more humid microclimates seems to be crucial to the keeping of epiphytic bryophyte species diversity in the urban landscape.

Elevational patterns in tropical bryophyte diversity differ among substrates: A case study on Baru volcano, Panama

AbstractQuestionsBryophytes attain their highest diversity in tropical mountain forests. Although distribution patterns have been described, little emphasis has been placed on comparing patterns among substrates (e.g., terrestrial, epiphytic). Understanding these patterns is important, because they determine not only the pool of genetic resources, but also the functioning of these forest ecosystems. Therefore, we studied how bryophyte species diversity changes with elevation, how elevational patterns differ between substrate types, and how elevational trends relate to environmental drivers.LocationBaru volcano, Panama.MethodsAt each of eight elevations, between 1900 and 3300 m, bryophytes were collected in 600‐cm2 plots from six substrate types with four replicates. Species cover was registered as a measure of relative abundance. Species richness and community structure were determined and related to elevation, substrate types, and environmental drivers at three scales (plots, sets of four replicate plots per substrate per elevation, and all plots at each elevation).ResultsBryophyte species richness decreased towards higher elevations, at all three scales and on all substrates except bryophytes on soil, for which, at the plot scale, richness peaked at higher elevations than on the other substrates. Relative humidity explained richness slightly better than elevation. Communities at the lowest elevations had the most uneven compositions, due to the presence of many small species with low abundance.ConclusionsIn studies on the spatial distribution of bryophyte diversity, it is essential to consider different substrates and spatial scales separately. If substrates differ in their elevational species richness patterns, climate and land‐use change may affect bryophyte diversity patterns not only directly, but also indirectly via changes in substrate availability. Therefore, a better understanding of the spatial variation in bryophyte diversity in mountains is essential to elucidate the effects of environmental change on this important group of plants and their implications for ecosystem functioning.

Effects of stand structure and ungulates on understory vegetation in managed and unmanaged forests.

Conventional conservation policies in Europe notably rely on the passive restoration of natural forest dynamics by setting aside forest areas to preserve forest biodiversity. However, since forest reserves cover only a small proportion of the territory, conservation policies also require complementary conservation efforts in managed forests in order to achieve the biodiversity targets set up in the Convention on Biological Diversity. Conservation measures also raise the question of large herbivore management in and around set-asides, particularly regarding their impact on understory vegetation. Although many studies have separately analyzed the effects of forest management, management abandonment, and ungulate pressure on forest biodiversity, their joint effects have rarely been studied in a correlative framework. We studied 212 plots located in 15 strict forest reserves paired with adjacent managed forests in European France. We applied structural equation models to test the effects of management abandonment, stand structure, and ungulate pressure on the abundance, species richness, and diversity of herbaceous vascular plants and terricolous bryophytes. We showed that stand structure indices and plot-level browsing pressure had direct and opposite effects on herbaceous vascular plant species diversity; these effects were linked with the light tolerance of the different species groups. Increasing canopy cover had an overall negative effect on herbaceous vascular plant abundance and species diversity. The effect was two to three times greater in magnitude than the positive effects of browsing pressure on herbaceous plants diversity. On the other hand, a high stand density index had a positive effect on the species richness and diversity of bryophytes, while browsing had no effect. Forest management abandonment had few direct effects on understory plant communities, and mainly indirectly affected herbaceous vascular plant and bryophyte abundance and species richness and diversity through changes in vertical stand structure. Our results show that conservation biologists should rely on foresters and hunters to lead the preservation of understory vegetation communities in managed forests since, respectively, they manipulate stand structure and regulate ungulate pressure. Their management actions should be adapted to the taxa at stake, since bryophytes and vascular plants respond differently to stand and ungulate factors.

The features of heavy metals and metalloids accumulation in the phytomass of the amphipodous moss <i>Pleurozium schreberi</i> (Brid.) Mitt. in the conditions of the Krasnosamarsky Forest area (Samara Region) and the National Park «Buzuluksky Bor» (Orenburg Region)

The paper analyzes ecological and geochemical features of the moss Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., growing in artificial pine plantings of the National Park Buzuluksky Bor (Orenburg Region) and the Krasnosamarsky Forest (Samara Region). The research has been carried out within the framework of the International Program ICP Vegetation (https://icpvegetation.ceh.ac.uk), on the practical use of some bryophyte species in the environmental monitoring of multi-element air pollution in the countries of Western and Eastern Europe and a number of other countries. In the National Park Buzuluksky Bor and the Krasnosamarsky Forest, where species diversity and ecological characteristics of bryophytes have been studied for several years, the phytomass of the moss Pleurozium schreberi has been selected. This species is included in the species list proposed by the organizers of the research work under the UNECE ICP Vegetation Program. A multi-element analysis of Pleurozium schreberi phytomass has been carried out on the basis of the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna using instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA). The biogeochemical similarity of the moss Pleurozium schreberi from the Krasnosamarsky Forest and Buzuluksky Bor, estimated by the concentration coefficients, has manifested itself in relation to a large group of heavy metals and metalloids, characterized by a relatively low ability to accumulate in its phytomass (Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd). Some differences have been revealed in relation to the elements with the maximum accumulation: Cu and Zn in the Krasnosamarsky Forest area, Mn and Ni - in the Buzuluksky Bor. A relatively low content of most of the analyzed heavy metals and metalloids in the soil of the studied territories as well as in the phytomass of the biomonitor moss Pleurozium schreberi allows us to consider them to be background for the steppe zone of the European part of the Russian Federation.

Forest fires have long-term effects on the composition of vascular plants and bryophytes in Scots pine forests of hemiboreal Estonia

Since fire frequency is expected to increase globally due to climate change, it is important to understand its effects on forest ecosystems. We studied the long-term patterns in species diversity, cover and composition of vascular plants and bryophytes after forest fire and the site-related factors behind them. Research was carried out in northwestern Estonia, using a chronosequence of Scots pine ( L.) stands, located on nutrient poor sandy soils, where fires had occurred 12, 23, 38, 69, 80 and 183 years ago. In every stand three 100 m vegetation plots were established to collect floristic and environmental information. The effects on floristic characteristics of time since fire, light, and soil variables were evaluated with linear mixed models, followed by backward variable selection. Compositional variation was analysed with non-metric multidimensional scaling, Multi-response Permutation Procedures, and Indicator Species Analysis. Altogether, 31 vascular plant and 39 bryophyte species were found in vegetation plots. The cover of the vascular plant and bryophyte layers increased with a longer time since fire. Soil and light variables impacted the richness of several vascular plant and bryophyte groups, whereas only the richness of liverworts and dwarf-shrubs correlated with time since fire. Considerable compositional differences were observed in vascular plant and bryophyte assemblages between recently vs. long-time ago burned stands. To conclude, time since fire significantly impacted compositional patterns of vascular plants and bryophytes in pine forests on nutrient poor soils, although time-related trends in species richness were less evident.Pinus sylvestris2

Taxonomic analysis of bryofloristic complexes of Eastern Europe

To assess the spatial distribution of bryophyte species in Eastern Europe, more than 53,000 localities of 1296 species were analyzed in 397 squares of 100×100 km. In terms of frequency of occurrence, rare species (from 6 to 25 squares) and very rare (from 1 to 5 squares) prevail in Eastern Europe. It was shown that more than 60 % of the taxonomic diversity of bryophytes is in a threatened or close to threatened state in the region. Based on biogeographic zoning, 6 regions (alpine, arctic, boreal, nemoral, arid, subtropical) and 12 subregions were identified. The characteristics of the taxonomic diversity of bryophyte regions and subregions are given, specific species are given and the centers of concentration of bryophyte species diversity in Eastern Europe are identified. There are 162 species in only one subregion, and 68 bryophyte taxa are found in all regions and subregions. The maximum species diversity is observed in the Alpine region (1066 species), which is explained by the general nature of the biological characteristics of bryophytes, the variety of ecological conditions in this region and the presence in Eastern Europe of 4 geographically different mountain subregions: the west of the Kola Peninsula, the Urals, the Carpathians and the foothills of the Caucasus.

Understory vegetation response to alternative silvicultural systems in coastal British Columbia montane forests

This study is one of several investigating the biological effects of silvicultural systems at the Montane Alternative Silvicultural Systems (MASS) project located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia (BC). We compared understory vegetation cover and diversity under four silvicultural systems (clearcutting, patch cutting, dispersed retention, and shelterwood) to an adjacent old-growth forest. Long-term plots were measured pre-harvest and at intervals up to 26 years post-harvest. We also compared vegetation response to fertilization and vegetation control treatments. All harvesting resulted in a short-term reduction in understory cover from logging debris and ground disturbance. Recovery from disturbance varied by species, life-form and system. Understory tree species returned to pre-harvest cover after 15 years and significantly exceeded initial cover after 26 years. Shrubs returned to pre-harvest cover after 5–10 years and continued to increase in most systems. Herb cover was low in the pre-harvest forest but increased rapidly in years three through 10 due to herbaceous colonizers; this was least pronounced in the shelterwood. Herbs have declined rapidly since year fifteen. Forest floor bryophytes were reduced to less than 5% cover in all systems except the shelterwood and they remain at one-third or less of their pre-harvest cover. The shelterwood retained more stand structure and plant species from the original old-growth forest than other systems immediately after logging, except for the retained patches. All the harvesting treatments increased species richness and diversity compared to the pre-harvest forest. The increase in total species and abundance was highest for year 15 when early-seral colonizers were still present, and many pre-harvest species had returned. By year 26, richness and diversity began to decrease as early-seral species were lost. For overall species diversity of vascular plants and forest floor bryophytes, silvicultural system did not have an effect after 26 years. All the late-seral herbs that occur at MASS were present after harvesting but several were locally eliminated or had reduced abundance in cut areas. We found no significant edge effects into retention patches, which had comparable species richness and diversity to the pre-harvest old growth—suggesting that aggregated retention can be effective for maintaining late-seral species. Silvicultural system had more significant long-term effects on shrubs and bryophytes than early vegetation control.

Relevance of Broad-Leaved Forest Stands for Maintaining Epiphytic Bryophyte Species and Functional Trait Diversity in Forest Landscape in Latvia

AbstractBroad-leaved trees play an important role in supporting epiphyte richness in deciduous forests. In this study we tested which broad-leaved forest stands in terms of tree composition best predicted biodiversity in regard to bryophyte species number and their functional traits. The bryoflora was surveyed in 70 stands differing in dominant broad-leaved tree species. One circular plot with diameter 30 meters was established in each stand situated in different parts of Latvia. Fifty-three of the plots were located in stands identified as protected habitats of the European Union. In total, 82 bryophyte species were recorded. At plot level the total number of species ranged between 6 and 38 species. Using principal component analysis (PCA), the ordination axes explained 41% of the variation in composition of bryophytes. The PCA axes were related to tree species composition. The presence of broad-leaved trees, especially ash, lime, and oak, was connected with higher species richness. Generalised linear models confirmed that epiphyte richness, both at the total and indicator species levels, was higher in ash stands. From the functional traits, all expected life-strategy and life-form categories were recorded. The most represented life-forms were smooth mats, tall turfs, and rough mats, while the dominant life-strategy was perennial stayers, followed by competitive perennials and long-lived shuttles. Functional trait richness was highest in Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia cordata, and Quercus robur forest stands.

Bryophyte Diversity in Mount Prau, Blumah Village, Central Java

Bryophytes are a major component of the ecosystem in Indonesia. Due to their sensitiveness, the abundance and diversity of bryophytes in an ecosystem are influenced by environmental conditions. This study aimed to determine the diversity of bryophytes based on ecological parameters in the village of Blumah Kecaman Plantungan, Kendal Regency which is directly adjacent to the Mount Prau protected forest, Central Java. The data collection method used was the exploratory method and the descriptive exploratory method with survey techniques. Observation was carried out by exploring an area of 3 kilometers, every 1 km distance. An observation station was made consisting of station 1 Jiwan hamlet, station 2 Garung, and station 3 at Cengkek and Gondan springs. The specimens were identified based on taxonomic literature. Each species was collected as a specimen for further identification in the laboratory. Abiotic environment parameters such as temperature, humidity, altitude, light intensity, pH and slope were observed. The results showed that Blumah village still has high plant diversity, especially bryophytes. The more humid, the higher the place, the lower the temperature and light intensity, the more species diversity. Based on the identification results, 21 species were recorded, which includes 15 species of mosses, 4 species of liverworts, and 2 species of hornworts. The index value of bryophyte species diversity was in the medium category, and the index value of species richness and species dominance were at low levels.

Bryophyte communities in Quercus garryana ecosystems on South East Vancouver Island: Preliminary mesohabitat assessment

Quercus garryana ecosystems are threatened Mediterranean-like sites that occur in a limited range on the west coast of North America. This ecosystem has higher plant diversity and rarity than any other in British Columbia with less than 10% remaining as relicts due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. The bryophyte component remains understudied, and identification of habitat associated communities could provide a more accurate picture of ecosystem health at remaining sites. We used floristic habitat sampling and multivariate analyses to determine bryophyte diversity and community composition among three prominent mesohabitats (meadows, outcrops, Quercus garryana epiphytes) in five intact sites. We found that total species richness was highest in meadows (67), high in outcrops (63), and lowest on Quercus garryana (40) and included 11 provincially rare species. Alpha diversity and mean transformed abundance classes were significantly lower in the Quercus garryana mesohabitat versus meadows and outcrops. Multi-response permutation procedure indicated the Quercus garryana epiphytic community as statistically unique, whereas there was no significant difference between meadow and outcrop mesohabitat communities. Several species were identified as indicators for each mesohabitat type. Observations were compiled with micrographic images as a special project using the citizen science application iNaturalist. This study of Quercus garryana ecosystems from southeastern Vancouver Island, B.C., provides a preliminary mesohabitat assessment for bryophytes in this rare and threatened heterogeneous ecosystem. These baseline results can help identify priority sites for restoration based on habitats associated with bryophyte species diversity.

Spatial distribution of bryophyte species diversity in Eastern Europe

Для оцінки просторового розподілу мохоподібних на території Східної Європи були проаналізовані більше 53 000 місцезнаходжень 1296 видів в 397 квадратах розміром 100 х 100 км. Кількість видів в межах (або щільність) одного квадрата варіює від 591 (південний захід Кольського півострова) до менш ніж 50 (в посушливих степових і напівпустельних регіонах в південній частині Східної Європи і ряду арктичних і північно-тайгових мало вивчених територій). Виділено 8 центрів видової різноманітності мохоподібних Східної Європи: Кольський, Південно-Карельський, Уральський, Естонський, Смоленсько-Московська височина, Карпати, Чорноморський, Кавказький, а також 7 проміжних субцентрів: Архангельський, Тіманський, Нарочанський, Волзько-Камський, Південно-Уральський, Біловезький, Київсько-Мозирський. Дана їх характеристика і наведені унікальні види. Запропоновано структурну модель організації та взаємозв'язків бріофлори Європи. Гірські райони є зосередженням максимальної різноманітності і притулком для багатьох рідкісних видів мохоподібних в регіоні. Центральним сполучним ядром системи є Смоленсько-Московська височина. Саме через цей центр біорізноманіття здійснюється зв'язок між західними і східними частинами бріофлори Східної Європи. Найбільш зв’язуючим елементом просторової структури бріофлори Східної Європи є Київсько-Мозирський субцентр (5 ребер), саме через нього здійснюється основна міграція бріофітов з півночі на південь і назад. Біловезький і Нарочанський субцентри мають по 4 ребра і також активно сприяють міграційному процесу. Через піднесені ділянки Архангельського та Тіманського субцентрів здійснюється зв'язок Кольського і Південно-Карельського регіонів з Уралом. Найбільш ізольованим в регіоні є Кавказ, який здійснює зв'язки з іншими центрами через Чорноморський центр. Ключові слова: мохоподібні, видове різноманіття, Східна Європа, просторовий розподіл

Epiphytic bryophytes of the State Dendrological Park “Olexandria” of the NAS of Ukraine

Investigations of the species diversity of epiphytic bryophytes of the State Dendrological Park “Olexandria” (the historical part and the “Budynok Lisnyka” plot) were conducted in 2017–2019 and revealed 40 species representing 22 genera, 17 families, seven orders, two classes, and two divisions. This corresponds to 46.51 % of the total number of detected bryophytes in the park. The leading families in the bryoflora of the park are Orthotrichaceae (9 species), Brachytheciaceae (6), Amblystegiaceae (3), Anomodontaceae (3), Dicranaceae (3), Hypnaceae (3), and Pottiaceae (2). The leading genera are Orthotrichum (9 species), Anomodon (3), and Dicranum (3).Among the identified taxa, five species (Dicranum tauricum, Orthotrichum lyellii, Porella platyphylla, Sciuro-hypnum reflexum, and Syntrichia virescens) are regionally rare within the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Most of the recorded epiphytic mosses were found on the bark of Acer platanoides (28 species), Fraxinus excelsior (27), Quercus robur (26), Acer campestre (23), and Tilia cordata (22). The least epiphytic mosses were found on the bark of conifers (Pinus sylvestris, P. strobus, Picea abies, Larix decidua, etc.).The surveyed trees in the State Dendrological Park “Olexandria” were also found such epigeal mosses as Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranella heteromalla, and Pohlia nutans, as well as epixilic moss Dicranum flagellare, etc.The “Budynok Lisnyka” plot hosts three species that do not occur in the park’s historical part. In particular, Lophocolea heterophylla and Sciuro-hypnum curtum were found there on Quercus robur trunks and Sciuro-hypnum reflexum on Quercus rubra bark. At the same time, the historical part of the park is characterized by the number of expansive bryophytes.