Ecological studies of a marine terrace sequence in the Waitutu Ecological District of southern New Zealand. Part 2: The bryophyte communities

Abstract

The bryophyte communities of the Waitutu marine terrace sequence are described on the basis of quantitative sampling. Local frequency data were obtained for ground bryophytes and percent cover values for epiphytes. Patterns of quadrat and phorophyte groupings generated by Cluster Analysis are confirmed by Detrended Correspondence Analysis. The bryophyte patterns relate closely to the communities of vascular plants recognised on the terrace sequence and described by Mark et al. (1988).

Bryophyte diversity (as species number) on the terrace sequence is highest in the tall lowland forest and decreases with increasing altitude and deteriorating drainage of the upper sites, with its associated decreases in plant height, cover and tree basal area. It is lowest at the upper bog sites. The low diversity in the coastal turf is the result of the exposed coastal habitat.

Keywords:

• Waitutu Ecological District
• marine terrace sequence
• bryophyte communities
• quantitative sampling
• Cluster Analysis
• Detrended Correspondence Analysis
• bryophyte diversity