Contribution to the moss flora of northern Sikkim, India

Abstract

Study of species composition and community structure is an essential requirement for maintaining the ecosystem functions, conservation, and sustainable use. Bryophytes are integral components of biodiversity and resilient during perturbation. The present investigation was, therefore, a survey in North Sikkim district (India) to study the diversity and distribution of mosses resulting in a total of 113 species in 74 genera and 28 families as new records to the study area. Of these, 14 species are considered rare based on their frequency of occurrence. The family Meteoriaceae which consists of mainly epiphytic taxa is found to be dominant and widely spread in the study area followed by Pottiaceae, Leucobryaceae, and Dicranaceae families. Sixteen species are found to be remarkable in contributing major biomass to the forest floors and as epiphytes. Five species are recorded to be endemic to this area. Most of the epiphytic species are found to be abundant in the area, indicating the good health of ecosystem. The data would be useful in the planning of conservation and management of biodiversity.