Open Collections

Beckett, Kephra; Mikkelsen, Else

The diversity and abundance of bryophytes on the north, west, east and south sides of four different species of trees (Douglas-fir, Bigleaf Maple, Western Hemlock and Western Redcedar) are investigated. Sunlight and bark composition are considered as main determining factors of the orientation of moss and liverworts on trees. Since more sunlight hits the southern side of trees it is expected that the north side retains more moisture and therefore has a higher abundance of bryophytes. Abundance is measured by percent cover of a quadrat on each of the four sides of twenty-four trees. Sixteen different species of bryophytes are measured and identified with a dichotomous key. The three coniferous species have similar assortments of bryophyte species while the Bigleaf Maples have a different subset of species. Bigleaf Maples also have the highest average percent coverage of the tree species sampled. It is found that 54% of all surveyed trees, including 67% of all sampled conifers have the largest percent cover on the north facing side. Bigleaf Maple showed no correlation between compass direction and bryophyte coverage. The diversity of bryophytes on the tree species is analyzed using Simpson’s Diversity Index scores. Possible factors influencing the observed patterns of bryophyte distribution, including bark pH, structure, and moisture are discussed.

Text

University of British Columbia. Science One Research Projects

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0107244

Science, Faculty of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/