Prelimirary study of bryophytes from Azorean wetlands I:
Bryophytes from “Paul do Belo Jardim” (Praia da Vitória,
Terceira Island, Azores)
1 cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/
Natural History & Systematics, Universidade de Lisboa, Museu
Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência. Rua da Escola
Politécnica, 58, 1250-102 Lisboa,
Portugal; 2 cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and
Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group & University
of Azores, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, PT-9700-042 Angra do
Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
C. Sérgio1, D. Claro1, J. Castillo Díaz2 & R. Gabriel2
Island Biology 2016 International Conference on Island
Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation
18-22 July 2016, University of Azores at Angra do Heroísmo,
Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal
The diversity of bryophytes found in Paul do Belo Jardim was
lower thanexpected, although it roughly doubled the known
bryophytes for thelocation. The lowest diversity and the
predominance of colonist speciesmay be the result of high
environmental disturbance, probably due toanthropogenic
activities.
References: [1] Crundwell, A. C. & Nyholm, E. 1964. The
European species of the Bryum erythrocarpum complex. Transactions
of the British Bryological Society, 4: 596-637; [2] Hodgetts, N.G.
2015. Checklist and country status of European bryophytes – towards
a new Red List for Europe. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 84. National
Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Arts, Heritage and
the Gaeltacht, Ireland; [3] Morton, B., J.C. Britton & A.M. de
Frias Martins, (1998) Coastal Ecology of the Açores, 249 pp.
Sociedade Afonso Chaves, Ponta Delgada.
Acknowledgements: The field work of J.C.D. on Paul do Belo
Jardim (Terceira Island, Azores) was partially supported by the
European program LIFE + (LIFE12 BIO/PT/000110). This work was
funded by National Funds through FCT -Foundation for Science and
Technology under the project UID/BIA/00329/2013. Thanks to
Professor Paulo A.V. Borges for giving the photographs of Paul da
do Belo Jardim.
The study of bryophytes from Paul do Belo Jardim is integrated
in the LIFE project “Ecological Restoration andConservation of
Praia da Vitória Coastal Wet Green Infrastructure” aims to recover
and restore a network ofwetlands in the coastal area of Praia da
Vitória (Fig. 1): Paul da Praia da Vitória, Paul do Belo Jardim and
Paul daPedreira (Fig. 2).
One of the specific goals of the project is to make an inventory
of the local biodiversity, including bryophytes. Sincethese species
respond quickly to environmental change, they are also going to be
used as monitors over time.
Tab.1 – List of bryophytes identified in Paul do Belo Jardim,
number of samples (S) and species life cycle strategies (Strat.: C
– Colonist; E - Ephemeral colonists; A - Annual shuttle; P –
Perennial).
This species is dioicous and can be recognized by their
acuminate-lanceolate leaveswith denticulate apex, excurrent costa
and by the presence of small rhizoid gemmae(60-100 µm diameter),
light red, globose to pyriform, composed by irregularaggregated
cells, such that the exposed surfaces of the cells are convex
[1].
The Paul do Belo Jardim is one of the remnants of a large and
rich coastal wetland. Sincethe firsts human settlements, Praia da
Vitória wetlands have been reduced to a few squaremetres in size
due to human activities (agriculture and urban development) [3],
threateningthe dynamics and future existence of the ecosystem.
This paul of small dimensions is located close to the Riviera
beach, relies on the occurrenceof two types of ecosystems, a
wetland and a dune system. Nowadays, the Paul do BeloJardim is a
very limited wetland, that only form larger ponds between the
existingvegetation, dominated by Juncus sp. (Fig. 3), in very wet
years [3].
Being this area so close to the Praia da Vitória city, fishing
port, Paul da Praia and Paul daPedreira (Fig. 2), it’s one of the
most popular places to watch birds in Terceira.
In 2014, it was possible to analyse two 300 meters transects,
resulting in a collectionof 60 samples (10 cm x 5 cm). This
inventory included 15 bryophyte species: 13mosses (6 Pottiaceae, 5
Bryaceae, 1 Brachytheciaceae and 1 Grimmiaceae), 1liverwort and 1
hornwort (Tab. 1).
This is the first report of Bryum klinggraeffii forAzores and
Macaronesia islands.
This widespread ephemeral colonist, redlistedin some European
countries [2], it is probablyoverlooked and undercollected due to
the smallsize of the plants and the complexity associatedto some
Bryum species identification.
The B. klinggraeffii is a suboceanic specie morefrequent in
calcareous to slightly acid bare soilsof arable fields but it can
also occur along themargin of ponds and reservoirs.
Conclusions
Methods and Results
Study Area
Fig.4 – Percentage of species life cycle strategies of
bryophytes identified in Paul do Belo Jardim by taxa andnumber of
samples.
The bryopytes collected in Paul do Belo Jardim are mainly
represented bycolonists and ephemeral colonists species (Fig. 4),
such as Bryum capillareHedw. and B. subapiculatum s.l., the two
species with the highestfrequency in this wetland (Tab. 1).
0,0% 10,0% 20,0% 30,0% 40,0% 50,0% 60,0%
Colonist
Ephemeral colonists
Annual shuttle
Perennial
Samples Species
L. leptophyllum
Species S Strat.
Bryum capillare Hedw. 21 C
Bryum subapiculatum s.l. 14 E
Barbula convoluta Hedw. 7 C
Leptophascum leptophyllum (Müll.Hal.) J.Guerra & M.J.Cano 7
A
Bryum rubens Mitt. 4 E
Bryum argenteum Hedw. 3 C
Lunularia cruciata (L.) Lindb. 2 P
Tortula muralis Hedw. 2 C
Trichostomum crispulum Bruch 2 C
Anthocerotaceae Dumort. 1 A
Brachythecium aff. mildeanum 1 P
Bryum klinggraeffii Schimp. 1 E
Grimmia aff. trichophylla 1 E
Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum (Schultz) R.H.Zander 1 C
Tortella flavovirens (Bruch) Broth. 1 C
B. subapiculatum
B. convoluta
Fig.3 – Paul do Belo Jardim
Photographed by Paulo A.V. Borges
Juncus sp.Photographed by Paulo A.V. Borges
Photographed by Paulo A.V. Borges
Fig.1 – Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal (adapted from Google
Maps)
Azores
Praia da Vitória
Fig.2 – Praia da Vitória: 1) Paul do Belo Jardim; 2) Paul da
Praia da Vitória; 3) Paul da Pedreira (adapted from Google
Earth)
2
1
3
Fig. 5 – Bryum klinggraeffii: 1 – habit; 2 – leaf apex; 3 -
rhizoid gemmae
1
2
80µm
3
P. hornschuchianum
New to Azores and
Macaronesia
