Taxonomic and Ecological Studies of Eastern Tennessee Bryophytes

Sharp, Aaron

The large number of bryophytes in eastern Tennessee may be accounted for by the great diversity of microclimates and variety of substrata which facilitated the survival of many species of the floras which have penetrated the area since Cretaceous times. A majority of the bryophytes are generally distributed in eastern North America. Many species, however, are more circumscribed in their range and these may be divided into five major categories based upon their geographical relationships. Approximately ten per cent of eastern Tennessee bryophytes exhibit affinities with the vascular flora of the Northern Coniferous Forest; more than five per cent, with that of the Eastern Hemlock Region; more than three per cent, with the Coastal Plain flora; approximately ten per cent, with that of the subtropics and tropics; and more than three per cent are endemic to the Southern Appalachians. Further subdivision is possible in some cases. The circumscribed distribution of the geographically important species may be due either to climatic or to prehistoric factors. Bryophytes may serve as pioneer plants and the bryophytic invaders of eastern Tennessee are listed for various substrata under diverse moisture conditions. Succession of bryophytic communities is recorded for a number of habitats but it is admitted that it is frequently difficult to distinguish between succession and zonation. Many eastern Tennessee bryophytes are limited to certain vegetation types. This restriction may be correlated frequently with substratal or climatic factors. Because of this limitation, bryophytes serve at times as useful indicators of moisture-content, pH or other conditions of the habitat.

Taxonomic and Ecological Studies of Eastern Tennessee Bryophytes

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