Terricolous bryophyte vegetation of Chilean temperate rain forests

In this study the community structure, geography and adaptive strategies of terricolous bryophytes in Chilean temperate rain forests are analyzed. In seven national parks, three national reserves and one forest reserve as well as in other unprotected semi-natural forests, bryophytes were collected and subsequently investigated. Following the method of Braun-Blanquet 381 relevés were conducted in the Araucanian, Valdivian and Magallanian forest regions. Studies were conducted from the lowland to subalpine belt within a latitudinal range of 38°39?-42°O7? S and 50°57?-53°37? S (longitudinal range 70°17?-73°27? W). From the collected taxa 76 hepatics, 87 mosses and four homworts belonging to 57 families were determined. 12 terricolous bryophyte communities are established. Within the distinguished communities two distinct divisions with an individual differential species group are identified: the high-altitude and/or high-latitude and the low-altitude bryophyte community group, respectively.