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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 54(3)

Bryophyte relationships with environmental and structural variables in Tasmanian old-growth mixed eucalypt forest

P. A. M. Turner A B , J. B. Kirkpatrick A and E. J. Pharo A
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A School of Geography and Environmental Studies, Private Bag 78, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Present address: School of Plant Science, Private Bag 55, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia. Email: Perpetua.Turner@utas.edu.au

Australian Journal of Botany 54(3) 239-247 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT04138
Submitted: 3 September 2004  Accepted: 18 August 2005   Published: 15 May 2006

Abstract

The species richness and species composition of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) was recorded at 33 sites in Tasmanian old growth mixed eucalypt forest. A total of 202 bryophyte taxa were recorded, consisting of 115 liverworts and 87 mosses. This constitutes approximately one third of the total bryophyte flora for Tasmania. Mean liverwort species richness per site was higher than moss species richness. Latitude was found to be a positive predictor in all multiple regression models of bryophyte, moss and liverwort species richness. Mean annual temperature and rainfall of the driest month were positive predictors for bryophyte and liverwort species richness. Basal area of the treefern Dicksonia antarctica Labill. was a negative predictor of liverwort species richness. Latitude, variables relating to moisture, mean annual temperature, rainfall of the driest month and basal area of Dicksonia antarctica were the most significant components in predicting variation in bryophyte, moss and liverwort species composition. There were few relationships between the variables of canopy cover and soil nutrients and bryophyte species richness and composition. Substrate variables were found to be important components in predicting variation in moss and bryophyte species composition.


Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Hobart Herbarium and both Australian and overseas bryologists for assistance with difficult specimens. Steve Candy, L. Richard Little, Peter Minchin and C. Henrik Wahren provided statistical advice. Frank Bishop, Mick Brown, Steve Davis, Rod Evans, Sandra Hetherington, John Hickey, Peter Ladaniwskyj, Steve Scott, Paul Smart, Bill Tewson, Darren Turner and Craig Weston provided assistance with fieldwork. Comments from two anonymous referees greatly improved the manuscript. This research was supported in part by a student grant from Forestry Tasmania and an Australian Postgraduate Research Award (PT).


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