Biodiversity within urban areas: A case study on bryophytes of the city of Cologne (NRW, Germany)

Abstract

In this study, the urban bryophyte flora of the city of Cologne (W. Germany) was studied. A total of 143 bryophyte taxa (17 hepatics and 126 mosses) were recorded within the metropolitan area of Cologne. Three species were newly recorded for North Rhine-Westphalia: Hannediella heimii, Schistidium helveticum and Tortula schimperi. Thirteen species red-listed in NRW were recorded, among them hardly endangered: Bryum intermedium and Syntrichia laevipila and extinction endangered: Syntrichia papillosa. The temperate biogeographic element prevails among Cologne bryophytes. According to frequency of recordance, only 11 species are widespread over the urban area of which three are hepatics. © 2009 Società Botanica Italiana.