Moss diversity associated with several micro-habitats at high elevations in the northern West Virginia mountains.

Abstract

Moss specimens were collected within microhabitats from three sites within the northern West Virginia Mountains: western edge of the Dolly Sods National Wilderness, Canaan Valley, and Canaan Mountain.  The microhabitats that were evaluated included sandstone rocks in full sun and rocks that were shaded; sunny and shaded sphagnum bogs and swamps; sun exposed and shaded soil; and shaded logs.  Mosses from the microhabitats were collected, identified to species, and voucher specimens were prepared for storage at Shawnee State University. The overall goal of this research is to determine which mosses are associated with the several microhabitats typical of the high elevations of the northern West Virginia mountains.   To date, 46 moss species in 27 Families have been identified from the eight microhabitats investigated.