Bryophyte flora of the Košice Zoo (E Slovakia)

Abstract

In this paper we studied bryophyte flora of the Košice Zoo and analyzed morphological, life history and ecological traits of the recorded taxa. A total of 129 bryophyte taxa (10 liverworts and 119 mosses) were identified on nine substrate types. One species (Physcomitrium eurystomum) potentially belongs to vulnerable species in Slovakia and all of Europe (its identification needs confirmation) and one species (Schistidium dupretii) is new to Slovakia. Out of 14 different life forms, the recorded species most frequently form turfs and rough mats, while colonists and perennials predominate among seven displayed life strategies. On average, species found indicate rather well-lit, drier but at the same time colder situations. Most taxa prefer acidic soils but a significant portion are also found on basic substrate. Roughly half of the identified species are bound to forests and roughly half to open land. Almost half of the species found show stronger affinity towards natural ecosystems but a smaller portion are also indicative of ecosystems with a very strong human impact. Substrate frequency indices show that most taxa usually grow on natural rock, soil and gravel or sand but a significant portion are also bound to man-made rock, and both living and dead wood. Such noticeable functional and ecological bryophyte diversity is attributed to a complex geology and diverse landscape of the zoo area which has the prerequisite of being a local hotspot of diversity of other organism groups as well. The Košice Zoo has a major potential in educating visitors about the connection between animals, plants and their habitat and in their active conservation. URL: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts/