A preliminary list of subalpine and alpine bryophytes of Rize, North-East Turkey

Abstract

Based on the published papers, floristic investigations of bryophytes (liverworts and hornworts) were carried out for subalpine and alpine localities in the boundary of Rize province in Turkey. The number of bryophyte taxa in these regions is 140 (119 mosses and 21 liverworts) with the lists cited in this paper. The hepatic list includes 15 genera and also mosses 55 genera. The largest genera of liverworts and mosses were found to be Scapania with four taxa and Sphagnum is with 13. Racomitrium heterostichum, R. macounii, Ditrichum pusillum, and Hymenoloma crispulum were the most common moss species. Two liverworts, Aneura pinguis and Scapania undulata were noted as the most common. When the altitudinal data were analyzed, it was seen that 2300 m. is the most survey area of intensive collecting. Upper limits of the taxa are observed at 3060 and 3065 m. Bryophyte records above 3000 m were not very rich according to the available information. The study provides an updated and useful catalog of the bryophytes occurring above forest boundary of Rize.