A floristic study of the cryptogamic flora in the Sierra Palm forest of the Toro Negro Commonwealth Forest in central Puerto Rico following Hurricane Georges

The cryptogamic flora of the Sierra Palm forest of the Toro Negro Commonwealth Forest in central Puerto Rico were studied between November 1998 and July 1999. In ten quadrats established in the sierra palm forest, 161 species of cryptogams were found: 135 species of bryophytes and 26 species of pteridophytes. Two families, nine genera, and 52 species of liverworts, and two families, five genera, and nine species of mosses are reported as new for the forest; one liverwort genus and species, one moss species, and one moss variety are reported as new for Puerto Rico. Hurricane Georges affected the flora due to wind, rain, and especially the opening of the canopy. Damages were suffered by the epiphytic species, due to the hurricane's effects on their microhabitat. The effects on terrestrial cryptogams were less severe, and were due in large part to the proliferation of opportunistic species.