Growth rates of five pleurocarpous moss species under various climatic conditions

Abstract

Growth rates of the moss species Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum cupressiforme, Ctenidium molluscum and Rhytidium rugosum were determined in terms of dry matter production and stem elongation. Sample sites were chosen to obtain a wide variety of altitudinal and climatic conditions in Austria. The annual increases were detected by using modified Petri dishes, external markers and morphological criteria. Individual shoots of H. splendens and P. schreberi showed a significant decrease of biomass increment with rising altitudes. Measurements of biomass and annual production per area of populations at various altitudes showed a reverse pattern. Central European individuals of H. splendens on average produced 15% more biomass than populations from Northern Europe. There is a strong correlation between stem elongation and temperature for all investigated mosses except R. rugosum. C. molluscum and R. rugosum showed maximum growth rates in shaded sites, with fairly high humidity, although their main occurrence in Austria is in open, mainly dry stands.