Recolonisation by bryophytes following fire

Abstract

AbstractThe recolonisation of bryophytes on soil during 3½ years following fire in a mixed forest in south-west Tasmania is characterised by the presence of Marchantia berteroana, Funaria hygrometrica, Ceratodon purpureus and Polytrichum juniperinum, while limited cover is provided by Campy lop us introjlexus, Tortella calycina and Bryum sauteri. It has been verified that the protonemal growth of the early colonising mosses is more rapid than non-colonising specles. The preference for spores of Funaria hygrometrica, Ceratodon purpureus and Marchantia berteroana to germinate on burnt soil is confirmed. However, it has been shown that burnt substrates do not inhibit the germination of non-colonising species. Therefore, the rapid development of protonemata and gametophytes in the colonising species may be a critical factor for their success.