An inventory of bryophytes on the summit of Pink Mountain (Peace River District, British Columbia, Canada)
The bryophyte diversity in northern British Columbia is insufficiently studied. We conducted a bryophyte survey in a 2.2-km2 proposed ecological reserve at the summit of Pink Mountain in the Peace River District of northern British Columbia. Pink Mountain is at the southern periphery of the ranges o...
| Summary: | The bryophyte diversity in northern British Columbia is insufficiently studied. We conducted a bryophyte survey in a 2.2-km2 proposed ecological reserve at the summit of Pink Mountain in the Peace River District of northern British Columbia. Pink Mountain is at the southern periphery of the ranges of several arctic flora species as well as the northernmost reaches of other temperate flora species. The south summit of Pink Mountain has a high floristic diversity coincident with its limestone geology, which provides a more alkaline condition for plant growth than the north summit does. We documented 65 species, including 2 new provincial records for British Columbia (Polytrichum hyperboreum and Tayloria hornschuchii), one red-listed (threatened) species (Tortula systylia), and one blue-listed (at-risk) species (Mnium arizonicum). Polytrichum hyperboreum and T. hornschuchii have affinities to habitats more typical of polar regions. The presence of P. hyperboreum at Pink Mountain represents a southward range extension from 61°33′N in western North America. Because isolated populations at species distribution limits are likely to be vulnerable to climate change, the establishment of an ecological reserve on the south end of the summit of Pink Mountain is important for the preservation of bryophyte habitat.La diversidad de briófitas en el norte de British Columbia ha sido poco estudiada. Nosotros realizamos un muestreo de briófitas en 2.2 km2 de la reserva ecológica que se encuentra en la cima de Pink Mountain en el distrito Peace River al norte de British Columbia. Pink Mountain se encuentra en la periferia sur del rasgo de distribución de varias especies de flora ártica, así como, en el rango de distribución más norteña de algunas especies de flora templada. La cima sur de Pink Mountain posee alta diversidad florística coincidente con la roca calcárea que forma el suelo, la cual proporciona condiciones más alcalinas para el crecimiento de las plantas que la cima norte. Documentamos 65 especies, incluyendo dos nuevos ... |
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