Effects of soil factors on pioneer bryophyte species composition

Abstract: Bryophytes play a significant role in various ecological processes, including soil succession and colonization after disturbances. Although they are commonly believed to take up nutrients from soil solutions rather than the soil itself, the influence of soil on their growth and distribution is evident from previous studies. In order to examine the impact of soil conditions on bryophyte species composition and abundance, samples of soil and vegetation were collected from industrially disturbed sitesin Skåne. pH and phosphate concentrations were measured and compared with the identified bryophyte species and their coverage. Both pH and phosphate were found to be important factors influencing bryophyte diversity. Most species were associated with high pH and low phosphate conditions. Moreover, total species richness exhibited a decline with rising phosphate levels. Certain species were restricted to very specific conditions. The results indicate the potential benefits of maintaining neutral to high pH and low phosphate levels to aid bryophyte conservation efforts.