Influence of Tree Species Composition in Subtropical Forest Communities on Bryophyte Distribution in Eastern Guangdong

Abstract:

In order to understand the effects of tree species composition in forest community on distribution of bryophytes, the responses of species composition and distribution of bryophytes to forest types in the subtropical forest communities of eastern Guangdong were studied by using multivariate methods. Forest stands were classified into 3 types according to tree species composition, such as Pterospermum heterophyllum, Schima superba + Castanopsis carlesii, and C. carlesii communities. The results showed that the species composition and distribution of both liverworts and mosses had significant difference among three forest stands. The difference in importance values (IV) for Chiloscyphus latifolius and Kurzia gonyotricha among the forest stands indicated the overall variations in liverwort distribution. The moss species, Pseudotaxiphyllum pohliaecarpum, dominated in all of three forest stands, and the difference in moss species composition was represented by the distribution of sub-dominant moss species among the forest stands. So, it was suggested that as the important biotic factors, the tree species composition of forest communities had significant influence on the species composition and distribution of bryophytes.

Key words:Bryophyte;Forest stand;Habitat association;Ecological response;Eastern Guangdong;Subtropical zone