Studies On The Bryophytes Of Mt. Kunyu In Shandong Province, China

The national nature reserve of Mt. Kunyu lies in the eastern end of JiaodongPeninsular，between 121°41′34″-121°48′04″E and 37°11′50″-37°17′22″N. It liesacross Yantai and Weihai, while covers an area of 15 620 km2. Owing to the influenceby the monsoon climate of medium latitudes and maritime monsoon climate, theenvironment is very complex and rainfall is abundant. So, the biodiversity ofbryophyte is in good condition. However, the bryophytes at the reserve have not beeninvestigated and studied. The present systematic study can not only provide basicmaterial for the bryophyte research of China, but also offer theory evidence forconservation of bryophytes in Mt. Kunyu.All the specimens studied in the national nature reserve of Mt. Kunyu are 4000 intotal. Based on the indoor identification of the specimens and analysis of relatedreferences, 283 species in 114 genera of 49 families were identified. Of these, 24species in 18 genera of 16 families are liverworts; 259 species in 97 genera of 32families are mosses. Among them 2 ordors (Hookeriales and Buxbaumiales), 2families, 6 genera and 45 species are reported from Shandong Province for the firsttime. At the same time, one endangered species [Diphyscium lorifolium (Card.)Magombo] is found.According to the habitats and ecological enviroments, the bryophytecommunities in the national nature reserve of Mt. Kunyu can be divided into fourtypes, including petrophytia, hydrophytia, epixylophytia and geophytia. Bycomparison, epixylophytia and geophytia are much smaller in number and biomassthan petrophytia and hydrophytia.The bryoflora of Mt. Kunyu is divided into 12 geographical elements, in whichNorth Temperate element accounting for 33.92% and East-Asia element accountingfor 27.21% make up the majority of the bryoflora of Mt. Kunyu. At the same time italso has some endemism and relationship with the bryoflora of tropical andsubtropical area. The result coincides with the location and enviroment of Mt. Kunyu.Five areas are selected to compare with Mt. Kunyu on the bryoflora. It is concluded that thespecies richness of Mt. Changbai is the highest, then is followed by Mt. Foping, Mt. Xitianmu, Mt.Lao, Mt. Kunyu, Mt. Xiaowutai, and Mt. Tai is the Lowest. The bryoflora of Mt. Kunyu holds the closest relationship with Mt. Lao’s, while is far with Mt. Changbai. Theresult coincides with the geographical and climatic factors.