Species diversity and community ecology of mosses: a case study from Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

A total of 177 species of mosses were recorded from twelve 50 m x 10 m transects between 1500 m and 3700 m altitude in the Garhwal region of western Himalaya. Fifty six of the species were terricolous growing on soil, 31 species were lignicolous and corticolous species thriving on woody substrates and 6 species were saxicolous inhabiting rocks alone. The other 84 species occurred on more than two major types of substrates. Amongst these, Brachymenium ochianum, Leucodon sciuroides and Trachypodopsis serrulata emerge as significant broad-niched species with respect to microhabitats, whereas Entodon rubicundus and Oxystagus tenuirostre appear as wide-niched species in terms of occurrence along the altitudinal gradient. The microhabitats and altitude seem to be the major ecological factors governing species diversity and composition. Unlike threats from deforestation, habitat transformation and fires, moss communities of Garhwal Himalaya do not seem to be adversely affected by the traditional livestock grazing.