Range extensions of 35 bryophyte species in the black spruce feather moss forest of western Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Although the North American bryophyte flora are relatively well known, bryophytes of the Black Sprucefeather moss forest in the Nord-du-Québec administrative region, especially its southern portion (4951°N, 7479°W), remain under-sampled. Here, we report 169 bryophyte taxa for this region, of which 35 (14 true mosses, 20 liverworts, one sphagnum) represent noteworthy records, including 20 taxa new for the region. These new occurrences close several gaps in distribution in the study area and, more broadly, in the boreal Black Spruce (Picea mariana) forest of adjacent Ontario. Microhabitat preferences of the species are also documented. This work represents a substantial contribution to knowledge of the bryophyte flora, which will help refine protection priority ranks of species of Quebec and Labrador.