Bryophytes of Azorean parks and gardens (I): “Reserva Florestal de Recreio do Pinhal da Paz” - São Miguel Island

• Autor(a) principal: Polaino-Martin, Clara
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.25752/arq.23643
• topic: Artigos

Historic urban parks and gardens are increasingly being considered as interesting refuges for a great number of species, including some rare taxa, otherwise almost absent from urban areas, such as many bryophytes and other biota that are not their main focus. After a bibliographic work, the "Reserva Florestal de Recreio do Pinhal da Paz" (RFR-PP), in São Miguel Island (Azores), stood out as one of the least studied areas of the region, without any bryophyte’ references. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the most striking bryophyte species present along the main visitation track of RFR-PP, in order to increase its biodiversity knowledge. Bryophytes growing on rocks, soil or tree bark were collected ad-hoc, in 17 sites, ca. 100 m apart from each other. In total, 43 species were identified: 23 mosses, 19 liverworts, and one hornwort, encompassing five classes, 15 orders and 27 families. Seven species are endemic from Europe and three from Macaronesia. No invasive bryophytes were found in the surveyed area. These results update the distribution data of São Miguel Island, show that Azorean parks and gardens contribute to the community dynamics of bryophytes at lower elevation and add a new layer of interest to the visitors of RFR-PP.