Species richness and habitat diversification of bryophytes in submontane rain forest and fallows of Bolivia

Abstract

An analysis of corticolous bryophyte diversity on whole trees in primary rain forest and 4-15-y-old fallows at 500-650 m in the Alto Beni, Bolivia, showed a significantly decreased diversity of bryophyte families and moss species in the fallows. However, liverwort diversity was scarcely lower in the fallows, except in the very young (4 y old) ones. Fallows had a significantly higher percentage of smooth mat species (72%), which may reflect the warmer, drier microclimate in the fallows. About half of the bryophyte species of the rain forest had re-established in the 10-15-y-old fallows. The majority of these are ecological generalists and sun epiphytes; a small minority are shade epiphytes. Re-establishment of ecological specialists is slower than that of generalists. Species richness in the primary forest is highest in the canopy; in the fallows it is highest in the understorey due to striking shifts of species and specialized growth types (rough mats, fans, tails) towards lower heights on the trees in the fallows. These shifts correspond well with measured changes in air temperature and air humidity in the fallows as compared with the forest.