Diversity of bryophytes in priority areas for conservation in the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil

Abstract

The northeastern Brazilian Atlantic forest is the region with the greatest diversity of bryophytes in the country. However, knowledge about bryophytes is irregularly distributed among Brazilian regions. Therefore, we aimed to contribute to knowledge about bryophytes on a regional scale in the northeastern Atlantic forest, to identify the centers of bryophyte diversity in that region, and to reiterate the importance and identify locations for which new protected areas should be created. We built a database of bryophytes in 23 locations of the region, based on a literature review and new floristic inventories. To identify the locations of greatest relevance to bryophyte conservation, we considered 1) total and endemic species richness, 2) phylogenetic diversity (PD), and 3) functional diversity (proportion of shade specialists). The northeastern Atlantic rainforest contains 396 spp., representing 26% of the taxa occurring in the country, 13 of which are endemic. Generalist species predominated (164 spp.), followed by shade (133 spp.) and sun (92 spp.) specialists. The Murici Ecological Station had the highest richness, number of endemic species, and phylogenetic diversity.