The epiphytic bryophyte vegetation of Kamilet Valley (Artvin, Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, the vegetation of epiphytic bryophytes in the Kamilet Valley and its surroundings (Arhavi, Artvin) wasinvestigated. The study area is located within the borders of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains and is one of the 122 important plant areasin Turkey. The investigation of epiphytic bryophyte communities was carried out in 2016 during different vegetation periods accordingto Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological methodology. Phytosociological data obtained from 65 relevés were ordinated using detrendedcorrespondence analysis (DECORANA) and classified using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Consequently, sixepiphytic bryophyte communities new to Turkey were determined with TWINSPAN and DECORANA: Leucobryo-Tetraphidetumpellucidae, Anomodonto attenuati-Neckeretum crispae, Frullanio tamarisci-Exsertothecetum crispae, Ulotetum crispae, Anomodontoattenuati-Neckeretum crispae-leucodontetosum sciuroidis, and Ulotetum crispae-isothecietosum alopecuroidis. All syntaxa are presentedby analyzing them in terms of their ecological and floristic classifications.