Bryoflora of Baphalimali hill ranges in Eastern Ghats ... - Vasundhara

EPTRI - ENVIS NewsletterVol. 15, No.1, 2009nature of the bryophytes the sampling was conductedseasonally. The aquatic, terrestrial and epiphyticbryophytes were collected in polythene bags andbrought to the laboratory, washed and dried. Thespecimens were identified after examining thespecial features like elaters, rhizoids, sporophytediameter, etc. The doubtful specimens wereidentified by matching with the herbarium specimensat National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow.The voucher specimens were kept in bryophyteherbarium of Utkal University, Bhubaneswar withproper accession numbers.Results and discussionIn total 31 Species of bryophytes including 20liverworts, 2 hornworts and 9 mosses under 17 familyand 22 genera are reported here for the first time fromthe Baphlamali hills in the Eastern Ghats of India(Table 1). All the species reported here are newdistributional records of occurrence for the State.Species like Anthoceros angustus, Conocephalumconicum, Lophocolea bidentata, Pallavicinia lyellii,Pellia epiphylla, Polytrichum juniperinum andTargionia indica were encountered between altitudesof 550 m to 870 m, where the forest is mostly moistdeciduous type with small semi-evergreen patcheshaving closer canopy. Four species such asPhaeoceros laevis ssp. carolinianus, Asterellaangusta, Heteroscyphus argutus and Riccardialevierii were collected between altitudes of 250 m to680 m indicating its adaptation towards varyingmicro-climatic conditions. Five species like Ricciatrichocarpa, Herpetineuron toccoae, Cyathodiumcavernarum, Funaria hygrometrica and Ricciaglauca were collected from mining areas harbouringdry deciduous forest with more open canopy.Dumortiera hirsuta and Plasiochasmaappendiculatum showed a wide range ofmorphological variation along the altitudinal gradientwithin the hill ranges. Mossess like Entodontopsiswightii, Polytrichum juniperinum and Pinnatellacalcutensis were collected from high altitudes rangingfrom 750 to 900 m above msl.The present study indicates that Baphlamali hillranges are rich in bryophytes. Currently the criticalhabitat of the bryophytes is under threat against theongoing anthropogenic activities like open castmining in this region. The changes in the microhabitatof bryophytes may seriously affect the speciescomposition very rapidly and thus upset theecological balance. Keeping in view the immenseecological importance of this lower group of plantssuitable conservation measures should be taken topreserve the bryoflora of the hills. Studies are inprogress to document the Bryoflora of the NorthernEastern Ghats of India.Table 1 Checklist of Bryophytes of Baphlamali Hills along with Altitudinal Variation4