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.