Abstract Detail

Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

O'Brien, Terry [1].

Spatial Patterns of Species Richness of Mosses in Southern New Jersey.

Data about the spatial distribution of species richness of bryophytes are essential to sound conservation decisions in many terrestrial habitats. When conservation decisions are made solely on the basis of vascular plant communities (vegetation types), the bryophyte component is assumed to have spatial diversity that is strongly correlated with vascular plants. With the assistance of undergraduate students, the spatial distribution of species richness of mosses was measured in three oak (Quercus) woodlands in southern New Jersey. Species richness in three 100-meter quadrats and twelve 25-meter subquadrats was recorded in each of the sites. For the spatial scale of these observations, species richness increases with increasing area, and species composition differs among areas of equal size.

1 - Rowan University, Biological Sciences, Glassboro, New Jersey, 08028, U.S.A.

Keywords:
conservation
Bryophytes
moss
spatial scale
New Jersey.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-8
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:686