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Context: The spread of invasive bryophytes in Central Europe started in the 2nd half of the twentieth century. However, still it is not known which climatic and land-use factors shape their potential niche. Objectives: We aimed to develop regional-scale species distribution models based on climate, land-use, and distance to the earliest records (propagule pressure proxy) for Campylopus introflexus and Orthodontium lineare in Poland to test whether country-scale models will reveal differences in habitat suitability among regions. Methods: We assessed the importance of bioclimatic variables, CORINE Land Cover types, and distance from previous introduction sites in country-scale species distribution models for two invasive bryophytes: C. introflexus and O. lineare. We collected species distribution data in Poland and we developed MaxEnt models in 2.5' resolution (~ 5 km). Results: Climatic variables had total importance of < 10%, land-use-related variables of 33.5% and 17.1%, and propagule pressure of 56.8% and 75.6%, for C. introflexus and O. lineare, respectively. The most important land-use types were coniferous forests and urban areas. Western and southern Poland provides more sites suitable for colonization, covering 11.2% and 19.0% of the country. Actual range saturation is 11.8% and 5.9%, respectively, indicating the early stage of studied species invasions. Conclusions: We provided species distribution models for invasive bryophytes, accounting for climatic, land-use, and introduction history variables. The impact of anthropogenic land-use types indicated the importance of disturbance as the driver of studied species invasion. This is important for early detection, spread prevention, and management of studied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The size of the structural components of the root–pit–mound complex was crucial for high moss species richness. Root plates, pits, and mounds were similar in terms of moss species composition, which was mostly determined by forest type. Context: Uprooted trees may be colonized by different terricolous mosses including common species and specialists. Aims: The main aim of the present study was to analyze the relative effects of tree uprooting on mosses. Methods: We used the parametric ZIGLMM and GLMM models to explain the richness and abundance of the moss species and double constrained correspondence analysis (dc-CA) to analyze species composition. Results: The size of components of RPM complexes had a positive effect on moss species richness. The species cover of mosses was positively correlated with elevation. Species richness was partly dependent on forest type and species cover on component type and age of the RPM complex. The most important factor diversifying species composition was the type of forest. Species traits were also related to forest communities. Conclusion: Uprooted trees are worth keeping in forest community, especially large ones. Moreover, the conservation value of uprooted trees in woodlands is higher if they are dispersed in different forest types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moss genus Zygodon Hook. & Taylor (Orthotrichaceae) is represented by five species in Poland, namely: Z. dentatus (Limpr.) Kartt., Z. gracilis Wilson, Z. rupestris Schimp. ex A.W.H.Walth. & Molendo, Z. stirtonii Schimp. and Z. viridissimus (Dicks.) Brid. Their current distribution in Poland is reviewed and mapped, and lists of their localities are presented. The ecological preferences, altitudinal limits, reproduction and threats for each species are shortly discussed. A key for determination of these species is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 96 epixylic bryophytes on 574 fallen logs were studied in Karkonosze Mts (Poland). • 42 relationships between traits of species and environmental factors were revealed. • Three guilds of mosses and liverworts were distinguished differing in 12 plant traits. • Mosses and liverwort traits are useful indicator of deadwood decay. Although species composition, species diversity and the frequency of epixylic bryophytes is quite well recognised in Central Europe, the patterns associated with their plant traits are still relatively unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine which plant traits best explain the colonization of coarse woody debris (CWD) by the bryophytes and associate them with environmental factors. Moreover, we wanted to examine whether there are internal guilds of epixylic liverworts and mosses based on their plant traits. The research was performed in both protected and managed forests in the Karkonosze Mts (southern Poland). A total of 574 pieces, i.e., fallen logs, were randomly selected. Fifteen environmental factors, i.e., the properties of the CWD, including the decomposition scale, moisture, the length of a log, climatic factors and the species identity of the trees were selected. In addition, statistical analyses of twenty plant traits, primarily the life-forms, habitat requirements and the types of reproduction of 96 bryophyte species were performed. According to the three-table ordination method (RLQ), 42 significant associations between the plant traits and environmental variables were recorded. The differences in the variations in the plant traits were associated with the host tree (beech Fagus sylvatica vs spruce Picea abies). The species that prefer a more nutrient-rich substratum and more alkaline environment were correlated with beech logs, whereas the species that prefer a higher moisture content were correlated with spruce logs. The plants that were characterised by creeping and erect lateral branches were associated with logs with a higher bark cover at the lower altitudes and were found mostly on beech logs. Dioecious and tuft plants avoided long logs, whereas monoecious plants preferred them. The rare and protected species were confined to the higher altitudes, less bark cover and smaller logs. Three guilds of epixylic bryophytes were distinguished that differed in 12 plant traits. Although their occurrence seemed to be confined to the specific phases of the decomposition of deadwood, these findings need to be tested on a larger dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bryophyte species number, cover and composition depend on environmental variables. • Bryophyte species are indicators of forest types and tend to coexist. • Groups of coexisting species respond to environmental gradients. • Moist forests are hotspots of the diversity of forest floor bryophytes. • Databases of vegetation-plots provide limited data on bryophyte ecology. Bryophytes are good indicators of habitat conditions and show associations with different types of forests. In this study we assessed the diversity and distribution of forest floor bryophytes across a wide gradient of Central European forests using vegetation records from the Polish Vegetation Database (PVD). We identified forest types using the Habitat Classification of the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) – the main comprehensive pan-European hierarchical classification of habitats. Based on 9258 plots containing bryophyte species and representing 20 forest types, we assessed the species number and cover, species composition of the bryophyte layer, species tendency for coexistence, and bryophyte diagnostic value for forest types. We explained the observed trends by environmental variables and bryophyte species traits to understand how bryophytes function in forest habitats. Bryophyte species number and cover were high in forest types on moist sites, both with deciduous and coniferous tree stands. The richness and abundance of bryophyte species, as well as the species composition of the bryophyte layer depended mainly on substrate moisture, fertility and pH, as well as on the percentage cover of coniferous and deciduous tree species in the stand. Species traits which responded to environmental factors were, first of all, requirements for substrate moisture, fertility and pH. Bryophytes of closed forests and short-lived shuttle species preferred deciduous stands, while bryophytes occurring in forests as well as on open land and perennial species were associated with coniferous stands. Bryophyte species showed a clear preference for forest types, but their fidelity was usually not high. Based on the fidelity of species, we also identified 10 groups of coexisting species which were also indicators of forest types and were dependent on environmental variables. Forest floor bryophytes respond to environmental gradients by species number, cover and composition, and they play a diagnostic role in forest types. Our research shows the importance of databases in learning about bryophyte ecology. However, the use of vegetation data has some limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]