Bryophyte Diversity of On-campus Old-growth and Secondary-growth Forests in Montgomery County, Virginia

Allen W. Milby^1,2 and Jordan S. Metzgar^1,*

¹Massey Herbarium, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. ²Herbaria, Harvard University, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. *Corresponding author.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 28, Issue 4 (2021): 566–576

Abstract
The bryophyte flora of Virginia is vastly understudied compared to its vascular flora. Few instances of bryological investigation occurred in the state until interest rose in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. The full distribution of many common bryophyte species in the state remains incomplete due to a lack of field investigation. Here, we add to the knowledge of Virginia’s bryophytes by documenting 39 total species of bryophytes from our study sites, including 15 new records of bryophyte species for Montgomery County. We made collections in an urban old-growth forest fragment and a secondary-growth forest on the campus of Virginia Tech. We devote special discussion to observations of 2 hepatic species and their ecological significance supporting higher species richness and make suggestions for future research.

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