Diversity and Distribution of liverworts across habitats and altitudinal gradient at Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (India)

Authors

  • Reesa Gupta Bryology Laboratory, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001
  • Ashish Kumar Asthana Bryology Laboratory, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2016.3.4.263

Keywords:

Bryophytes, liverworts, habitats, altitudinal gradients

Abstract

The present study elucidates the distribution of liverworts (Marchantiophyta) in various habitats and across the altitudinal gradients at Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR), central India. The liverwort diversity was assessed in selected habitats at each site viz. soil, wet rocks, dry rocks, soil covered rocks, stony walls (terricolous habitats) and epiphytic habitat. Three altitudinal gradients were considered for distributional assessment. In all, 41 liverworts belonging to 21 genera and 15 families were encountered. Among the three altitudinal zones, 17 taxa were found at lower altitudinal gradient (400-800 m) whereas 12 liverworts were found at the higher altitudinal gradient (1001-1400 m). Maximum taxa (33) were present at the middle altitudinal zone (801- 1000 m). The sites at middle altitudes furnished amicable conditions for the growth of bryophytes. In general, rocks, both moist and dry formed the most pertinent habitat for the liverworts. Evidently, the middle altitudinal gradient emerged as the altitudinal range harbouring maximum liverworts.

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Author Biographies

Reesa Gupta, Bryology Laboratory, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001

Bryology Laboratory, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, India

Ashish Kumar Asthana, Bryology Laboratory, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001

Principal Scientist

Bryology Laboratory, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, India

References

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Published

01-10-2016

How to Cite

1.
Gupta R, Asthana AK. Diversity and Distribution of liverworts across habitats and altitudinal gradient at Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (India). Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2016 Oct. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 19];3(4):354-9. Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/263

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Section

Research communications