Fudali, E. & Wolski, G. J. 2015. Ecological diversity of bryophytes on tree trunks in protected forests (a case study from Central Poland). — Herzogia 28: 87–103.
The flora and number of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) colonizing tree trunks in ten forest nature reserves established between 1954 and 1996 and previously subjected to forest management, were analysed with regard to species ecological preferences, vertical distribution and life history strategies. The study aimed to identify ecological characters of bryophytes occurring on tree trunks in forests where intensive exploitation ceased many years ago. The question whether the current corticolous bryoflora continues to reflect past disturbances in the forest environment due to previous forest management is discussed. With respect to the species richness and diversity of their substratum requirements, the bryoflora occurring on tree trunks more closely resembled that of natural than of managed forests. However, obligate epiphytes (including relicts of ancient forests, such as: Dicranum viride, Neckera complanata and Ulota crispa) occurred rarely and most of them tended to occupy only tree bases.