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

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.