Phylogenetic biogeography and taxonomy of disjunctly distributed bryophytes

More than 200 research papers on the molecular phylogeny and phylogenetic biogeography ofbryophytes have been published since the beginning of this millenium. These papers corroborated assumptions of a complex genetic structure of morphologically circumscribed bryophytes, and raised reservations against many morphologically justified species concepts, especially within the mosses. However, many molecular studies allowed for corrections and modifications of morphological classification schemes. Several studies reported that the phylogenetic structure of disjunctly distributed bryophyte species reflects their geographical ranges rather than morphological disparities. Molecular data led to new appraisals of distribution ranges and allowed for the reconstruction of refugia and migration routes. Intercontinental ranges of bryophytes are often caused by dispersal rather than geographical vicariance. Many distribution patterns of disjunct bryophytes are likely formed by processes such as short distance dispersal, rare long distance dispersal events, extinction, recolonization and diversification.

Study on Bryophytes in Sygara Mountain

In order to identify the species of bryophytes in Sygara Mountain in Tibet,2390 samples in the area were collected,identified and analyzed. The results show that bryophytes of Sygara Mountain have 26 families,70 genera and 134 species; among them,25 families,69 genera and 133 species are mosses,and only one is liverwort,namely Conocephalum conicum( L.) Dum. 4 dominant families are in the descending order of Bryaceae,Dicranaceae,Pottiaceae,Polytrichaceae respectively,and the dominant genera are Hypnum,Brachythecium,Plagiomnium,Racomitrium and Dicranodontium.

An enumeration of bryophytes collected from North Korea

Bases on studies of bryophytes collecled by Cao Tong in August 1997 from North Kolea, 81 species belonging to 52 genera, 26 families of mosses and 16 species belonging to 12 genera, 10 families of hepatics are recorded. Among these, 6 rpeciec and 1 form are new to bryoflora of the Korean Peninsula. These are : Campylopus gracilis (Mitt.) Jaeg.,Grimmia leavigata (Brid.) Brid., Okamura hakoniensis f. mutiflagellifera (Okam.) Nog., Orthotrchum erubescens C. Muell.,Scapania verrucosa Heeg., Schistidum strictum (Turn.) Loeske ex O. Maort. and Schistidium subconfertum (Broth.)Deguchi.

Responses of terrestrial bryophytes to simulated climate change in a secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest in southern China

Tropical regions are biodiversity hotspots and are well-suited to explore the potential influence of global climate change on forest ecosystems. Bryophytes have essential ecological functions in tropical forest ecosystems, but knowledge of the potential impact of global warming and possible changes in water availability patterns on terrestrial bryophytes is limited. We transplanted eight terres- trial moss species from two elevations (900 and 500 m) to warmer and drier elevations (500 and 100 m) during a halfyear observation period on Tai Mo Shan, southern China. The simulated climate change resulted in severely declined health status and marked decrease in growth of the trans- planted species when compared with their performance at the original elevations. Five of the eight selected species survived for six months after being transplanted to the warmer and drier lowlands, though their health status deteriorated severely. Sematophyllum subhumile , Pseudotaxiphyllum pohliaecarpum and Brachythecium buchananii were highly susceptible to changes in temperature and rainfall patterns and might be used as suitable bioindicators. As the tropics are expected to become hotter and drier, terrestrial mosses might be negatively affected or even be at risk of extinction. Bryophytes in the tropics could represent one of the best biological communities to reflect the direct adverse impact of climate change and provide early warning of the biological outcomes induced by ongoing climate crisis.

Modeling and Mapping Forest Floor Distributions of Common Bryophytes Using a LiDAR-Derived Depth-to-Water Index

This article describes how the cartographic depth-to-water (DTW) index in combination with other variables can be used to quantify, model and map the distribution of common forest floor bryophytes, at 1 m resolution. This was done by way of a case study, using 12 terrain and climate representative locations across New Brunswick, Canada. The presence/absence by moss species was determined at each location along upland-to-wetland transects within >10-m spaced 1-m2 forest floor plots. It was found that Bazzania trilobata, Dicranum polysetum, Polytrichum commune, Hylocomium splendens, and Pleurozium schreberi had greater probabilities of occurrence in well-drained forested areas, whereas Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum girgensohnii dominated in low-lying wet areas. The presence/absence of each species was quantified by way of logistic regression analyses, using DTW, slope, canopy closure, forest litter depth, ecosite type (8 classes), nutrient regime (4 classes, poor to rich);vegetation type (deciduous, coniferous, mixed, and shrubs), and macro- and micro-topography (upland, wetland;mounds, pits) as predictor variables. Among these, log10DTW and forest litter depth were the most consistent predictor variables, followed by mound versus pit. For the mapping purpose, only log10DTW and already mapped classifications for upland versus wetland and vegetation type were used to predict the probability of occurrences for the most frequent moss species, namely, D. polysetum, P. schreberi and Sphagnum spp. The overall accuracy for doing this ranged from 67% to 83%, with false positives and negatives amounting to 18% to 42%. The overall classification accuracy exceeded the probability by chance alone at 76.8%, with the significance level reached at 75.3%. The average level of probability by chance alone was 60.3%.

Study on the Bryophytes Cultivation and Breeding Based on Mosses Garden

Slow growth is a bottleneck for the large-scale application of bryophytes in landscaping.The article reviewed the progress of artificial breeding researches,summarized several effective means of collecting germplasm resources and cultivating and breeding,discussed the feasibility of specialized mosses garden,and proposed the approaches of scale breeding such as stereo-cultivation and optimization of cultivation media.

Literature Analysis of Bryophytes in China during 2005-2015

In order to study China's bryophyte,this paper uses bibliometrics for statistical analysis of literature about China's bryophyte during 2005-2015.The results show that in terms of published article distribution of different journals,there are 13 kinds of journals with more than 5 papers about bryophyte,accounting for 32.5%; in terms of the number of papers published in different years,it was smallest in 2005,only 16,while it reached the largest number of 33 in 2008; in terms of the number of papers published for different first authors,there are most authors publishing less than 9 papers,accounting for 87.5%,there is only one author publishing 9 papers,and there are 5 people publishing more than 9 papers; in terms of author unit distribution,in the 278 articles collected,there are 12 units publishing papers of less than 6,accounting for 30%,the unit publishing the most papers(36) is Guizhou Normal University,5 units publish 6 papers,accounting for 12.5%,and the units publishing papers of less than 6 account for 57.5%; in terms of literature research level,there are most papers about basic and applied basic research(natural science),accounting for 91.2%,the papers about engineering and technology(natural science) account for 5.5%,and other papers account for 3.3%.

Diversity Characteristics of Bryophytes on the Eastern and Western Slopes of Sejila Mountain

[Objectives]To study the characteristics of bryophytes in subalpine cold zone and related transition zone.[Methods]The study was divided into scale A and scale B.On the scale of A,specimens were collected from Tongmai-Pailong-Dongjiu-Lulang-Sejila Pass-Nyingchi Town-Bagi Village along the national Highway 318.A sample plot was set for each 100 m altitude increase,and samples were collected between each two sample plots as well.On the scale of B,bryophyte specimens were collected and studied in the fixed sample plot of the Tibetan Nyingchi Alpine forest Ecosystem Research Observatory.[Results]Through the sampling and collection of bryophytes in Sejila Mountain,more than 3000 specimens were identified with the classical classification method.There were 216 species of bryophytes belonging to 82 genera and 24 families.The bryophytes in the study area differed obviously in different vegetation types and slopes.The species richness of Sabina saltuaria-Abiesgeorgei var.smithii forest was the highest.Theαdiversity of Abiesgeorgei var.smithii forest was the highest,followed by Sabina saltuaria-Rhododendron forest,and that of alpine shrub was the lowest.Diversity studies showed that theβdiversity of Sabina saltuaria-Rhododendron forest and Rhododendron forest on the eastern slope was the largest,and those of alpine shrub and Sabina saltuaria-Abiesgeorgei var.smithii forest were the lowest.However,theβdiversity of Abiesgeorgei var.smithii forest on the western slope was the highest,and those of alpine shrub and Abiesgeorgei var.smithii forest were the lowest.[Conclusions]There are obvious differences in the distribution of bryophytes on the eastern and western slopes of Sejila Mountain of Tibet.

Composition and Function of Bacterial Communities of Bryophytes and Their Underlying Sediments in the Dajiuhu Peatland, Central China

Symbiotic microbiomes of Sphagnum have been confirmed to play a fundamental role in carbon and nitrogen cycles, however, little is known about microbiomes associated with other bryophytes in subtropical peatland ecosystems. To explore the differences in community structure, metabolic potential and interaction relationship of bacterial microbiomes associated with different bryophytes species, the gametophytes of three bryophyte species(Sphagnum palustre, Aulacomnium androgynum, and Polytrichum commune) and their underlying peat sediments were collected from the subtropical Dajiuhu Peatland and subjected to Illumina high-throughout sequencing of 16S r RNA gene. Results showed that bacterial diversity was lowest in S. palustre, the dominant moss species, among the three moss species investigated in Dajiuhu Peatland. Bacterial communities from bryophytes clearly separated with those from sediments as indicated by both phylogenetic and taxonomical approaches. Linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEf Se) identified 30 and 36 indicator taxa in mosses and peat sediments. Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia and Thermoleophilia significantly enriched in S. palustre, A. androgynum and P. commune, Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria subgroup 6 was indicator taxa for corresponding underlying sediments, respectively. Despite of these differences in compositions, bacterial functional structures were similar among all bryophytes, such as abundant aerobic heterotrophs, rare nitrifiers and denitrifiers. This phenomenon was also observed among the underlying sediments. Network analysis indicated that Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria located in the center of network and exerted strong interactions to other taxa. The sub-network of bacterial communities in sediments was more connected and microbial groups were more competitive than those in bryophytes subnetwork. Our results offer new insight into the community structure, ecological function and interaction pattern of bacterial microbiomes in the Dajiuhu Peatland across different habitats.

Strong evidence for latitudinal diversity gradient in mosses across the world

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

Influence of soil and elevation on roadside cryptogam diversity in the tropical Andes

Background: The deforestation caused by road construction is one of the main drivers for both biodiversity and function loss in tropical ecosystems. Terricolous cryptogams are pioneers in colonizing roadside and they are limited by environmental and edaphic factors, thus, cryptogams may act as pioneers for ecosystem rehabilitation at roadside.Methods: This research was aimed at determining the diversity and composition of terricolous cryptogams, as well as their relationship with elevation and soil properties among roadside of the tropical Andes of Ecuador, in order to establish indicator species of this anthropized ecosystems. Five elevations were selected and in each one 50grids of 20 cm×30 cm were sampled(250 in total along the road), where occurrence, cover and identification of every cryptogam species were recorded. To evaluate the effect of elevation and soil properties on cryptogam richness, a linear model was conducted. Species composition among elevations was compared by non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS), and their relationship with the environmental variables through a correlation with adjusted axes was performed. A total of 72 species were recorded, those being 44 bryophytes and 28lichens. Species richness and composition of terricolous cryptogams were influenced by elevation and soil properties, thus the richness is higher at elevations E1, E2 and E3(2600, 2200 and 1800 m a.s.l.), differing from low elevations E4 and E5(1400 and 1000 m a.s.l.). Higher elevations with specific soil conditions(e.g bulk density, nitrogen and silt) harbored different cryptogam communities than those in lower elevations.Conclusions: A combination of both elevation and soil properties are shaping the colonization by terricolous cryptogams commnunities. As such, 18 species were identified as the best indicators for all sets of environmental conditions at the roadside, which can therefore be considered for monitoring ecological processes in tropical areas. Use of biocrusts for restoration is an emerging field. If implemented in the study region, elevation and soil drivers may help to better chose the more suitable cryptogam species to manage and stabilize roadside in tropical roads.

Bryophyte mass to stem length ratio: A potential metric for eco-physiological response to land use

Methods of analysis are needed that quantitatively characterize the response of organisms to anthropogenic disturbance. Herein a method is presented that characterizes bryophyte morphological variability in response to timber harvest treatments (clearcut and partial cut). Samples (n = 6196) of the semi-aquatic bryophyte Brachythecium frigidum were collected from clearcut, partial cut and full forest stream reaches between August 2003 and October 2005 and analyzed to obtain mass to stem length ratios (M:SL). Results show that relative to a full forest (i.e. full canopy cover condition), average M:SL ratios were reduced approximately 18% in the partial cut and 37% in the clearcut, indicating a decrease in biomass per unit stem length with increasing harvest intensities. Increased light intensities and higher air temperatures resulting from decreased canopy cover in the harvest treatments corresponded to lower M:SL ratios (0.31 and 0.24 for the partial cut and clearcut, respectively). Results quantify the morphological response of B. frigidum to habitat perturbation, thereby validating the method as a useful assessment of anthropogenic disturbance in post-timber harvest environments. Additional work should be conducted to test the method in other physiographic regions and to isolate bryophyte response to alterations of distinct environmental variables.

<i>Rhynchostegium megapolitanum</i>(Web. et Mohr) B.S.G.—A Rare Bryophyte in Dune Ecosystems of Zealand, Denmark

Rhynchostegium megapolitanum was observed during a study of the effects of the invasive nonnative Rosa rugosa in a sand dune. The vascular as well as the epiphytic and epigeic cryptogam vegetation was recorded., and soil properties were measured. Epihytic lichens were abundant on dead or dying branches of Rosa rugosa scrubs, under which the stable substrate and high light exposure provided growth conditions for an epigeic community dominated by lichens and bryophytes. The occurrence of the rare bryophyte Rhynchostegium megapolitanum is discussed.

Moss Propagules Banks in a Secondary Subtropical Moist Forest in Puerto Rico: A First Description

A bryophyte propagule bank serves as a source for population maintenance and survival, and many factors can influence these propagules’ germination. However, it is unknown how soil depths affect propagules banks, their diversity and abundance overtime in a Neotropical forest. To understand such a paradigm, soil samples were obtained from different depths (0 - 5 cm, 5 - 10 cm, and 10 - 15 cm) at Guajataca State Forest, Puerto Rico;then, they were transferred to the laboratory, cultured, and the amount of gametophytes from propagules present over a seven-month period were measured. Forest soil depth did affect the density of gametophytes. Gametophytes densities augmented overtime for almost all species. Two species mainly influenced the propagule production over time. Also, propagules can have a long-term germination potential for some species.

Assessing the Potential Impacts of Elevated Temperature and CO₂on Growth and Health of Nine Non-Vascular Epiphytes: A Manipulation Experiment

The consequences of sharp rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) and global warming on vascular plants have raised great concerns, but researches focusing on non-vascular epiphytes remain sparse. We transplanted nine common cryptogamic epiphyte species (3 bryophytes, 6 lichens) from field sites to growth chambers (control, elevated [CO2], elevated temperature, elevated [CO2] and temperature) and monitored their growth and health at regular intervals in a subtropical montane forest in Ailao Mountains in southwestern China. Our results implied a dim future for nonvascular epiphytes, especially lichens, in a warming world. The initial rise in temperature and decrease in water availability from field sites to the control chamber had remarkable negative impacts on growth and health of nonvascular epiphytes, many of which turned brown or died back. Although elevated [CO2] in chambers had no significant effects on growth of any of the experimental species, further warming caused significant negative impacts on growth of Lobaria retigera (Bory) Trev. In addition, elevated [CO2] and temperature have a significant interaction on growth of four experimental lichens. Considering the ecological importance of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens for the subtropical montane forest ecosystems and high sensitivity to environmental changes, people may underestimate global change impacts to nonvascular epiphytes, or even the whole forest ecosystems.

Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of selected mosses with different alcoholic solvents

This study was conducted to investigate the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical content of the crude extracts of Archidium ohioense,Pelekium gratum,and Hyophila involuta with different alcoholic solvents(ethanol,methanol,Seaman's Schnapps,fresh oil-palm wine,and fresh Raffia-palm wine).The mosses were collected from their natural populations on the central campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife,Nigeria.The yield of the extracts was weighed for all the solvents,and the qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the extracts were carried out using standard methods.The results of phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts from the mosses showed the presence of saponins,cardiac glycosides,triterpenes,alkaloids,flavonoids,and steroids.The quantitative phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts showed that ethanolic extracts of Hyophila involuta had the highest flavonoid content(288.37±0.10 mg RE/g),and Raffiapalm-wine extracts of Hyophila involuta had the highest saponin content(224.70±0.02 mg/g),while the methanolic extract of Archidium ohioense had the highest cardiac glycosides content(63.71±0.14 mg/g),and the Raffia-palm wine extract of Hyophila involuta had the highest alkaloids content(102.50±0.12 mg/g).Raffia-and oil-palm wines were observed to be the most effective solvents for all the mosses studied,followed by Seaman's Schnapp,while methanol and ethanol were less effective.The study concluded that the extracts of the mosses studied contain pharmacologically active constituents that can be used for therapeutic purposes.

C,N,and P Ecological Stoichiometric Characteristics of Two Dominant Mosses in Baotianman Nature Reserve

In order to investigate ecological adaptation mechanism of bryophyte,two dominant mosses Thuidium cymbifolium and Mnium immarginatum in Baotianman Nature Reserve were measured the content of C,N,P and their ratio in bryophyte and soil,and analyzed the relationships of plant and soil ecological stoichiometric characteristics along altitudinal gradients.Results indicate that the content of C,N and P in green tissues of T.cymbifolium and M.immarginatum in Baotianman Nature Reserve was 46.81%-49.09%,0.21%-0.25%,and0.02%-0.08%.Among the different altitudinal gradients,C,N and P displayed significant differences: the significantly different content of C and N were showed in T.cymbifolium,and the content of N and P differed significantly in M.immarginatum.However,only N declined obviously as increasing altitude.In soil,the C,N,N/P and C/P showed an increasing trend with increasing elevation,while the P and C/N along altitudinal gradients exhibited no unified trend.With the increasing in the content C,N of soil,the content C and N of T.cymbifolium raised,while the content C and N of M.immarginatum declined.With the rise in P element of soil,N/P showed different trends between two bryophyte species,the N/P in T.cymbifolium significantly decreased,while N/P in M.immarginatum significantly increased.In addition,mean value of leaf N/P was 8.51,ranking 14-16.These results suggested that the growth of the bryophyte plants in Baotianman Nature Reserve were restricted by N element,and different utilization strategies in soil P element in different bryophyte plants led to differences in ecological stoichiometric characteristics.

Responses of acrocarpous moss communities to heavy metal(Fe,Mn,Cd)and sulfur pollution in the Changgou carbonate manganese ore,SW China

Bryophyte communities have been widely used to monitor and assess heavy metal pollution in soil,air and water.However,the unique value of acrocarpous moss in monitoring environmental pollution and the harm of non-metallic sulfur to human health caused by carbonate manganese mining were seldom considered in previous studies.This study investigated the heavy metal and sulfur pollution level by soil and moss sample collection in Changgou manganese ore and its surrounding environment in the Zunyi area,Guizhou Province,China.By means of cluster analysis,diversity analysis,correlation analysis and redundancy analysis,the relationship between dominant moss communities and major pollutants were analyzed.The results showed that there were pollutants such as iron(Fe),manganese(Mn),cadmium(Cd),sulfur(S)and others in the 500 meters buffer zone centered on Changgou manganese ore.The ore sorting area and waste rock accumulation area were considered as the most seriously polluted,followed by the ore outlet area and ore transport line,at last the miners’living area and vegetable planting area were the least polluted.A total of 23 species of moss communities were identified in the Changgou manganese ore area,among which 9 were dominant,including Bryum blindii Bruch&Schimp.(Bry.bli),Weissia planifolia Dix(Wei.pla)-Bry.bli,Bryum caespiticium Hedw.(Bry.cae),Bryum pallescens Schleicher ex Schw?gr.(Bry.pal),Didymodon longicostatus X.J.Li et Iwats(Did.lon),Weissia brachycarpa(Nees&Hornsch.)Jur.(Wei.bra),Trichostomum brachydontium Bruch.(Tri.bra),Bryum argenteum Hedw.(Bry.arg)Wei.bra and Bryum algovicum Sendt.ex M?ll.Hal.(Bry.alg),all of which are from the acrocarp species.Bry.cae showed a strong tolerance to S,Did.lon to Fe,Bry.pal to Cd and Bry.bli to Mn.There was a significant correlation between the main polluting elements and the dominant bryophyte community(P<0.05),indicating a high biological indicator value.Together,our results can provide the scientific basis for soil pollution monitoring and human health risk assessment in carbonate manganese mining areas.

Approaches and Prospects of Developing Tourism Value of Natural Bryophyte Resources in West Sichuan

Abundant bryophytes with high ecological and ornamental value are distributed in natural forests in west Sichuan. Through exploring the practices and forecasting the application of bryophytes from 2 aspects(using bryophytes in the natural world and building artificial moss garden), this paper proposed that the large-scale application of bryophytes could be realized via the development of bryophyte tourism products and commodities on the basis of ecological restoration and artificial cultivation experiment.

Geographic patterns and climatic drivers of the mean genus age of liverworts in North America

Phylogenetic niche conservatism posits that species tend to retain ancestral ecological traits and distributions,which has been broadly tested for lineages originating in tropical climates but has been rarely tested for lineages that originated and diversified in temperate climates.Liverworts are thought to originate in temperate climates.Mean lineage age reflects evolutionary history of biological communities.Here,using regional liverwort floras across a long latitudinal gradient from tropical to arctic climates in North America,we test the age-component of the temperate niche conservatism hypothesis.Mean genus age(MGA)was estimated for each of 76 regional floras of liverworts.We related MGA to climatic variables for North America as a whole and for its eastern and western parts separately,and used variation partitioning analysis to assess the relative importance of temperature-versus precipitationrelated variables and of climate extremes versus seasonality on MGA.We found that older genera of liverworts tend to concentrate in humid regions of intermediate temperatures in the range of 10
℃-20℃,from which liverworts have adapted to and diversified into more arid,colder,and hotter regions,supporting the temperate niche conservatism hypothesis.We also found that across North America the MGA of liverwort assemblages is more strongly affected by precipitation-related variables than by temperature-related variables,and is more strongly affected by climate extremes than by climate seasonality.Geographic patterns of the MGA of liverworts are consistent with the temperate niche conservatism hypothesis,rather than the tropical niche conservatism hypothesis,the latter of which is broadly supported by angiosperms.