Contrasting arboreal and terrestrial bryophytes communities of the Mount Halimun Salak National Park, West Java

Abstract

Bryophyte communities were compared between arboreal (trunk bases) and terrestrial habitats in primary forest Mount Halimun Salak National Park, West Java. The communities were analyzed based on species diversity, abundance, and biomass. A total of 150 bryophytes species were identified, including 67 species of mosses (Bryopsida) and 83 of liverworts (Hepaticopsida). Both bryophyte groups varied in diversity and abundance between arboreal and terrestrial communities as well as among different elevations. Species diversity of arboreal habitats (116 species)was higher than that of terrestrial habitats (64 species). Moss specieswere more abundant in terms of coverage in terrestrial habitats whereas liverworts species were more abundant in arboreal habitats. Species richness in both terrestrial and arboreal habitats decreased towards higher elevation, whereas the abundance increased.