Epiphytic Bryophyte Communities of Forests Dominated by Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner in Altindere Valley National Park (Trabzon, Turkey)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The epiphytic bryophyte communities of the Altindere Valley (Maçka, Trabzon, Turkey) were studied. A total of 59 relevés, taken from living tree trunks in different vegetation periods of 2018 and 2020, were analysed according to the Braun-Blanquet methodology, and the relevés were also ordinated and classified using the Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA) and the Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). As a result of the analyses, Alleniella besseri-Leucodontetum immersi as. nov., Plagiomnio undulati-Raduletum lindbergianae typicum and P.-R. leucodontetosum sciuroidis subas. nov. (Neckerion complanatae) were described and characterised as a new epiphytic. Mnietum cuspidati, Homalothecio sericei-Neckeretum besseri and Brachythecietum populei-isothecietosum alopecuroidis were also described as new to Turkey, whereas Brachythecietum populei typicum was recorded for the second time in Turkey.