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Three sites in the southern Italian Apennines were selected to assess correlation between forest structure and bryophyte flora. In two of the sites, the Index of Air Purity (IAP)-based on cover data of epiphytic bryophytes-was evaluated. The results show that bryophyte populations-and consequently IAP-are affected by forest structure and development, and that studies including different sites require a precise assessment of silvicultural characteristics to allow comparisons. Indicator values of mosses and liverworts were also taken into consideration in characterizing ecologically the three sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]