| Two sampling scales, 5.0 m2 and 1.0 m2, were used to describe the species composition of bryophyte communities and associated environmental variables in nine calcareous fens in the Fall Creek watershed. There were very few differences in bryophyte diversity among eight of the nine fens at either scale. However, larger fens tended to be more species rich. Relationships between environmental heterogeneity, species composition, and bryophyte richness were best modeled at the 5.0 m 2 sampling scale. Diversity in vegetation type and substrate diversity best explained similarities in species composition among the nine fens. Diversity in vegetation type and microtopographic diversity best predicted bryophyte richness in Fall Creek watershed rich fens. However, niche breadth analysis suggested that the ten most prominent species did not respond to microtopographic diversity or diversity in vegetation type by partitioning habitat space to form classic equilibrium communities along these environmental gradients. |
