Epiphytic Bryophytes and Vegetation of the Platanus orientalis Trees in Zonguldak

Abstract

In this study, the epiphytic bryophyte flora and vegetation of the Platanus orientalis trees, which are protected in Zonguldak, were investigated between the years 2012-2013, as a result of the investigation of 33 sampling releves different sizes taken from the trunks of P. orientalis trees by the Braun-Blanquet method, two epiphytic bryophyte associations which belong to the Orthotrichetalia order of the Frullanio dilatataeLeucodontetea sciuroidis class were detected. The Pylaisietum polyanthae and Syntrichietum papillosae associations were found for the first time from Turkey. The life forms and life strategies of the syntaxa examined in terms of ecological and floristic have been analyzed. Weft and cushion are dominant of the life forms while perennial stayers are dominant in the life strategies. In addition, most taxa of the floristic list are found to have mesophytic, sciophyt, and subneutrophyt as a character.