Effects of Bryophytes Diversity and Gap in a Dark Coniferous Forest in Xizang Sygera Mountain

Abstract:

In order to understand the diversity of bryophytes and their response to gap disturbance in dark coniferous forests in Xizang Sygera Mountain, the biomass characteristics of epiphytic bryophytes on the ground, rotting wood and tree in different habitats (forest gap, forest edge, understory) were studied in five plots of western slope in Xizang Sygera Mountains. The results showed that the biomass per unit area of ground bryophytes were the highest with an average of 910.10 g/m², followed by saprophytic bryophytes (221.90 g/m²) and epiphytes (53.59 g/m²). The biomass per unit area of ground moss in the forest gap was the highest with an average of 360.47 g/m², followed by understory (305.51 g/m²), and forest edge (244.11 g/m²). There was a significant difference in the biomass per unit area among three habitats (P＜0.05). Along altitude gradients, the biomass per unit area of bryophytes grown in forest gap increased at first and then decreased. Therefore, it was suggested that the forest gap had a significant effect on the biomass per unit area of ground moss in dark coniferous forest in Xizang Sygera Mountain.

Key words:Bryophytes;Forest gap;Biomass;Xizang Sygera Mountain