Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Bryophytes are vital components of ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and ecological balance. However, certain regions of Turkey remain insufficiently studied, which limits the understanding of their full bryophyte diversity. This research aimed to document the bryophyte diversity of the Lapseki Mountains (Çanakkale, Turkey), an area influenced by both Mediterranean and Black Sea climatic conditions. Fieldwork was carried out systematically between 2022 and 2023 in various habitats, including forest stands, rocky areas, and stream banks. A total of 78 sampling sites were investigated, and approximately 3,000 specimens were collected and later identified using standard taxonomic procedures. As a result, 200 taxa representing 52 families and 103 genera were identified. These comprise 162 mosses, 37 liverworts, and 1 hornwort. The most frequent species included Orthotrichum diaphanum, Homalothecium sericeum, Tortula muralis, Grimmia pulvinata, and Funaria hygrometrica. The study reveals that the Lapseki Mountains host a diverse bryophyte flora, reflecting the transitional character between Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. These results provide the first bryophyte records from this area and contribute significantly to the knowledge of Turkish bryophyte flora.
Source: Acta biologica turcica
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7217643189