Search

In the article, the bryophytes of the upper reaches of the Western Bug River, which is physically and geographically located within Male Polissya, partly Roztochia, and to a minor extent in the Gologoro-Voronyatsky denudo-structural hills, have been studied. Based on our survey, a list of the bryophytes has been compiled for the first time. Ecological features, substrate preferences and life forms of the bryophytes have been analysed. According to the ecological features, subheliophytes (30.9%) and hemisciophytes (30.9%) predominate in the spectrum of heliomorphs; mesophytes (29.7%), hygromesophytes (21.2%) and xeromesophytes – in the spectrum of hydromorphs (19.4%); cold-tolerant species (59.4%) – in the spectrum of thermomorphs. Based on the analysis of the substrate preferences of the bryophytes, the following groups were identified: epigeans (116 species), epixils (56 species), epiphytes (46 species), epiliths (43 species), aquatic (22 species). The prevailing life forms are turf (30.3%), rough mat (18.2%), weft (15.2%), tuft (10.3%) and smooth mat (9.7%). 3 species that are officially recognised as rare and 16 species that are recognized as regionally rare have been found. In the group of bryophytes associated with wetland ecosystems, 2 officially rare and 6 regionally rare species were found in the study area. Given the large areas of drained land in Lviv Region, these species are of particular value, especially in the context of conservation of the biodiversity and protection of the valuable natural areas in accordance with the Development Strategy of Lviv Region by 2027.

The article presents a list of bryophytes on the territory of the forest park “Pohu­lyanka” in Lviv city which includes 143 species of mosses which belong to 79 gene­ra, 36 families of two divisions: Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta. Changes in the species composition for the last 50–100 years were analyzed: 34 species were not detected, the reduction of the species diversity of the liverworts and decreasing of the proportion of moss families: Polytrichaceae Schwägr., Thuidiaceae Schimp., Hylocomiaceae M. Fleisch. are noted. These families are changed the least: Brachytheciaceae Schimp., Hypnaceae Schimp., Mniaceae Schwägr. 72 species of bryophytes are indicated for the studied area for the first time, and Eucladium verticillatum (With.) Bruch et Schimp. is indicated for the first time for the territory of Lviv region. 25 species are rare for the nemoral and forest-steppe zones. The substrate affiliation of the bryophytes was presented. It was shown that the spectrum of substrates for the epiphytes has expanded as a result of the anthropogenic activity.

Imperfect detection leads to underestimates of species presence and decreases the reliability of survey data. Imperfect detection has not been examined in detail for boreal forest understory plants, despite widespread use of surveys for rare plants prior to development. We addressed this issue using detectability trials conducted in Alberta, Canada with decoy vascular plants. Volunteer observers searched in survey plots for species while unaware of their true presence or abundance. Our findings indicate that the detection of cryptic species is very low when abundance is low (0-35%) and plot size is large (< 50% in ≥ 100 m2). Plant density (individuals per unit area) was the most important determinant of detection probability, where more abundant species were detected more often and with less survey effort. When abundance was held constant, diffusely arranged species were twice as likely to be detected compared to those in clumps. Detection of cryptic species can be low even when individuals are flowering, and even morphologically distinct species can go unnoticed in small plots. We suggest that future decoy trials investigate search strategies that could improve detection and that field surveys for vascular plants address imperfect detection through careful consideration of plot size, characteristics of the target species, and survey effort, both in terms of time expenditure within an area and the number of observers employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant rarity is considered a useful predictor of the extinction risk of species. However, apparent rarity can emerge from incomplete data sets or incorrect sampling. Epiphyllous bryophytes are a poorly collected and taxonomically complicated group, with incompletely known distribution patterns. In this paper we explore the diversity patterns and meso- and micro-habitat specialization of common and rare epiphyllous bryophyte species, and evaluate the threat status of Aphanolejeunea gracilis, Leptolejeunea tridentata, and Otolejeunea schnellii. Epiphylls were collected from 240 samples (10 × 10cm) in 30 plots of 5 × 5 m in superhumid lowland forest of the Chocó, Colombia. Our results indicate that epiphyll diversity and species composition is similar among palm and non-palm leaves. Disturbance had a negative effect on epiphyll cover, species richness, and diversity of rare species. Data on rare species did not correlate with global or national red lists, indicating that detailed surveys are necessary to accurately assess the threat status of "rare" species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the occurrence of some rare bryophyte taxa in the Kaçkar Mountains in Turkey are presented. Besides, Sphagnum centrale C.E.O.Jensen is first reported from Turkey, extending its distribution range to the Caucasus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to help understand rarity in bryophytes, the present study investigates attributes of 430 taxa (ranging from very rare to very common) within a region of north-west England (UK). Results show that rarity is largely congruent between the scale of the study area and the British Isles, even though the area of the former is only 0.7% of the latter. Two indicators of niche breadth are negatively correlated with rarity at different spatial scales and for different groups of taxa, suggesting that rare species are able to exploit a relatively narrow range of habitats and substrates (and hence occur in fewer places). Significant positive correlations exist between sporophyte production and range-size for mosses at the scale of the study area and for liverworts at the scale of the British Isles, which may be linked with dispersal ability. Also, monoicous mosses at the scale of the British Isles are rarer than dioicous species, possibly due to processes associated with self-fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rarity along two of the three parameters of rarity of Rabinowitz (habitat specificity and distribution range) is investigated for the members of the Lophoziaceae/Scapaniaceae complex occurring north of the Tropic of Cancer (174 species). Using a rarity index built on the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, 31 species (18%) are rare on both parameters (most urgent in need of evaluation of threat status and conservation actions), 16 species (9%) are range restricted habitat generalists and 9 species (5%) widespread habitat specialists. The species are most frequently growing on soil, rocks and decaying wood, but no habitat have an exceptional high number of habitat specialists. Four areas do have more habitat specialists than expected from their number of species. The species are most abundant in arctic and boreal areas but also in alpine and oceanic areas. Nepal, East Himalaya (Bhutan and Sikkim) and south-central China (Yunnan and Sichuan) are hot spots both for range restricted species and for habitat specialists. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most studies on population ecology of bryophytes have involved common species. However, some studies have compared life history strategies in rare and common species. We review the life history strategies (life expectancy, sexual and asexual reproduction, spore production, spore size and dispersal) for species that are rare in relation to pattern and persistency of suitable habitat patches. In particular, we discuss the dynamics on two levels, within and among localities, for different categories of rare species. We predict that most rare species will be found to have restricted dispersal capacities but higher than average life expectancies of local subpopulations. Natural rarity is distinguished from human-induced rarity and species rare for the latter reason are distinguished as 'threatened'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the phylogeny of Campylopodiela dorothyae and its introduction in Democratic Republic of Congo. It mentions that this specie of bryophytes belongs to the Paraleucobryoideae subfamily, which is under the Dicranaceae family. It highlights its three species which include Campylopodiella himalayana, Campylopodiella malagensis and Campylopodiella stenocarpa. It elucidates the physiology and anatomy of Campylopodiella dorothyae, along with its characteristics and features. Illustration depicting the parts of Campylopodiella dorothyae is also presented.