Floristic study of bryophytes in Hangyeong Gotjawal (Cheongsu-ri), Jejudo Island

Abstract

Recently, it has become known that Gotjawal terrain is an important area, therefore the study on this area has conducted in the geological, ecological, and cultural aspects. The studies on bryophytes of Gotjawal, however, have not been sufficiently performed. This study presents a survey on the bryophytes of the evergreen broad-leaved forest of Cheongsu-ri at Hangyeong Gotjawal in the southwestern part of Jejudo Island, Korea. A total of 72 taxa belonging to the Bryophyta (18 families 43 genera 55 species) and Marchantiophyta (11 families 13 genera 17 species) were determined and the liverwort index was 23.6%. Predominant life-form was weft. The rates of the bryophytes dominating in mesic to hygric sites were higher than the bryophytes mainly observed in xeric habitats. These values indicate that the forests are widespread and dense in this study area. Upon an investigation of the substrates, the bryophytes on rocks were most diverse. The results appear to stem from the fact that volcanic rock masses of various sizes lay scattered over the study area, offering numerous micro-habitats for bryophyte due to one of the characteristics of Gotjawal. We suggest that more detailed studies should be conducted at the regional scale to establish the bryophyte flora of Gotjawal and the evergreen broad-leaved forests on Jejudo Island.