Floristic composition and vertical zonation of epiphytic bryophytes in Dense Montane Ombrophilous Forest in southern Brazil

Dense High-montane Ombrophilous Forest possesses environmental characteristics that give it unique structure and floristic composition. Assuming that elevation and associated variables act as filters for bryophyte communities, the purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of bryophytes in relation to vertical phorophyte zonation within the nebular forest, a type of rainforest in a high altitude environment, characterized by the occurrence of constant cloud, in Parque Estadual Pico do Marumbi, Parana, Brazil. All bryophytes occurring on twenty-eight trees in the elevation range of 1000 to 1500 m were sampled and analyzed in six predefined vertical zones. Samples were identified using standard methods and references for bryophytes, and their coverage and abundance was characterized for each tree. Comparisons among zones were done using cluster analysis and diversity. A total of 96 species and 31 families were recorded, with Lejeuneaceae being the richest family followed by Frullaniaceae. Some species were common to all areas, and eight new occurrences for the state of Parana are reported. This study found high diversity (ranging from H' = 2.6 to H' = 4.1) and abundance (0.01 to 0.07) of bryophytes, with a predominance of liverworts. Among the areas analyzed, the floristic compositions of only two differed by more than 50%. This study represents the first evaluation of bryophytes in this elevation range, and the results confirm the importance of conserving high montane regions.