Recovery of a Bryophyte Community on Hurricane Island, Maine

R.E. Leonard; P.W. Conkling; J.L. McMahon; J.L. McMahon

doi:10.2737/NE-RN-325

Recovery of a Bryophyte Community on Hurricane Island, Maine

Informally Refereed

Authors:

R.E. Leonard, P.W. Conkling, J.L. McMahon, J.L. McMahon

Year:

1984

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RN-325

Source:

Res. Note NE-325. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.

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Abstract

Recovery of a bryophyte community on an artifically denuded granite ledge was monitored for 4 years on Hurricane Island, Maine. Predominant bryophyte species were Dicranum polysetum, Polytrichum juniperinurn, Dicranum flagellare, Polytrichum piliferum, and Dicranum fuscescens. Site factors such as nutrient supply, moisture, and availability of reproductive material were considered in relation to bryophyte growth to assess the ability of a specific island plant community to recover from a major disturbance. Recovery of the bryophyte community was rapid, with 60 percent bryophyte coverage over a bare rock surface by the end of the study. There was a strong relationship between the amount of needlefall from a nearby spruce-fir stand and the percent area coverage of bryophyte species.

Citation

Leonard, R.E.; Conkling, P.W.; McMahon, J.L. 1984. Recovery of a Bryophyte Community on Hurricane Island, Maine. Res. Note NE-325. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.