In Europe, Mediterranean temporary ponds are indicated as priority natural habitats under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC: despite in those habitats bryophytes are recognized to have an important ecological function, there are very few studies on the chorological and ecological characteristics driving bryophytes diversity and on the biogeographical factors influencing species' variability. We compared the bryoflora composition of temporary ponds in Sardinia (Italy) with the available bibliographical data on temporary ponds in the Mediterranean (Spain, France and main Mediterranean islands such as Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sicily) to define their characteristic floristic composition. A total of 212 bryophyte species, which included 166 Bryophyta, 44 Marchantiophyta and 2 Antocerothophyta are reported. Among these species, those most typically connected with such habitats are: Archidium alternifolium, Bryum dichotomum, Imbrybryum alpinum, Fossombronia caespitiformis, Ptychostomum capillare, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Riccia beyrichiana, Tortella squarrosa and Trichostomum brachydontium. In particular, Archidium alterifolium and Bryum dichotomum are the most common species found in Mediterranean temporary ponds, being surveyed in more that 83% of the investigated ponds. The strictly hydrophytic taxa are: Drepanocladus aduncus, Leptodictyum riparium, Riccia fluitans and Riella helicophylla. The genus Riccia is common in these habitat. In a distinctly Mediterranean climatic context the presence of a large number of Pottiaceae is predictable: they are characterized by species with a short lifecycle, making them more competitive in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Several species of conservation concern are present (7 species) highlighting the conservation importance of this habitat, e.g. Petalophyllum ralfsii in Sardinia. Due to the fragility of the habitat and its unique ecology, P. ralfsii is potentially threatened by a number of factors including pressure from tourism, removal, or drying of the thallus due to the reduction of water level or reforestation.

Biogeographic distribution of bryoflora in the Mediterranean temporary ponds

COGONI, ANNALENA
2015-01-01

Abstract

In Europe, Mediterranean temporary ponds are indicated as priority natural habitats under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC: despite in those habitats bryophytes are recognized to have an important ecological function, there are very few studies on the chorological and ecological characteristics driving bryophytes diversity and on the biogeographical factors influencing species' variability. We compared the bryoflora composition of temporary ponds in Sardinia (Italy) with the available bibliographical data on temporary ponds in the Mediterranean (Spain, France and main Mediterranean islands such as Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sicily) to define their characteristic floristic composition. A total of 212 bryophyte species, which included 166 Bryophyta, 44 Marchantiophyta and 2 Antocerothophyta are reported. Among these species, those most typically connected with such habitats are: Archidium alternifolium, Bryum dichotomum, Imbrybryum alpinum, Fossombronia caespitiformis, Ptychostomum capillare, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Riccia beyrichiana, Tortella squarrosa and Trichostomum brachydontium. In particular, Archidium alterifolium and Bryum dichotomum are the most common species found in Mediterranean temporary ponds, being surveyed in more that 83% of the investigated ponds. The strictly hydrophytic taxa are: Drepanocladus aduncus, Leptodictyum riparium, Riccia fluitans and Riella helicophylla. The genus Riccia is common in these habitat. In a distinctly Mediterranean climatic context the presence of a large number of Pottiaceae is predictable: they are characterized by species with a short lifecycle, making them more competitive in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Several species of conservation concern are present (7 species) highlighting the conservation importance of this habitat, e.g. Petalophyllum ralfsii in Sardinia. Due to the fragility of the habitat and its unique ecology, P. ralfsii is potentially threatened by a number of factors including pressure from tourism, removal, or drying of the thallus due to the reduction of water level or reforestation.
2015
978-88-940864-0-9
biogeography; bryoflora; mediterranean Temporary Ponds
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/60317
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