BRIOPHYTES FROM THE TAPACURÁ ECOLOGICAL STATION, SÃO LOURENÇO DA MATA, PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL

Abstract

This study addresses the diversity of bryophytes in the Tapacurá Ecological Station, located in São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco, Brazil. Bryophytes are nonvascular plants, including liverworts, mosses, and hornworts, which play an important role as bioindicators of environmental quality due to their sensitivity to environmental variations and dependence on external water. The research was conducted in October 2022, covering three fragments of the station: Mata do Camocim, Mata do Alto da Buchada, and Mata do Toró. Exploratory collections were carried out in the study area in October 2022 on all substrates favorable for the development of the group. All samples were georeferenced and identified with collector and substrate data to determine where the material was growing. Thirty-two species of bryophytes were identified, distributed across 26 genera and 13 families, including 17 mosses and 15 liverworts. This bryoflora represents 5% of the diversity of Pernambuco, and 9% of the Northeast. The Lejeuneaceae and Fissidentaceae families were the richest in species, with a focus on the genera Fissidens and Plagiochila. The Lejeuneaceae family is particularly representative in tropical forest environments and contributes significantly to bryophyte diversity in the region. Furthermore, 14 species were found as epiphytes, 10 as epixylous, 4 as epiphyllous, 4 as terricolous, and 4 as lithophytes. The predominance of epiphytes can be attributed to the abundance of trees that serve as substrates in forests. Most species were found on only one type of substrate, indicating high substrate specificity. This may result from the heterogeneity of environmental conditions in the Tapacurá Ecological Station, including variations in light, humidity, and temperature. The research concluded that the station, with an area of 330 hectares, harbors a significant diversity of bryophytes, representing a substantial part of the diversity of Pernambuco and the Northeast. However, over 90% of the species were found exclusively on one type of substrate, suggesting the need for future studies to better understand the factors related to the distribution of bryophytes in the region and their high substrate specificity. In summary, this study highlights the importance of bryophytes as bioindicators of environmental quality and provides valuable information on the diversity and distribution of these plants in the Tapacurá Ecological Station, contributing to the knowledge of bryophyte flora in the northeastern region of Brazil.