Altitudinal gradients of bryophyte diversity and community assemblage in southern Appalachian spruce-fir forests

Abstract

Ground-layer plant communities in spruce-fir forests of the southern Appalachians have likely undergone significant change since the widespread death of canopy Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) caused by the exotic balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae). Bryophytes comprise an important part of the ground-layer flora in the spruce-fir zone, with an average cover of 26 percent and richness and diversity values rivaling those of the herbaceous layer, yet few contemporary studies have given them significant attention.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings from the conference on the ecology and management of high-elevation forests in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains

Citation

Stehn, Sarah E.; Webster, Christopher R.; Glime, Janice M.; Jenkins, Michael A. 2010. Altitudinal gradients of bryophyte diversity and community assemblage in southern Appalachian spruce-fir forests. In: Rentch, James S.; Schuler, Thomas M., eds. 2010. Proceedings from the conference on the ecology and management of high-elevation forests in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. 2009 May 14-15; Slatyfork, WV. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-64. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 226.