Text Box: The mission of the California Native Plant Society is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to preserve them in their natural habitat through scientific activities, education, and conservation.

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and mammals.

 

Bryophyta also help to maintain the humidity level of their ecosystems because they absorb, store, and release water so readily. Because of this characteristic, humans have used mosses in their gardens, greenhouses, or other man made ecosystems as buffers of humidity and soil dampness. Since bryophytes are sensitive to changes in their environment (water, soil, air quality), they are used as indicators of hazardous conditions.

 

The San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF) has not been well-surveyed for bryophytes. In the past only 3-5 bryologists have poked around a few sites. One important rare moss that was found in the 1960’s is Meesia uliginosa. There has been one other attempt to relocate this moss but to no avail, instead another rare and interesting moss was located that is also important, Meesia tridentate.

 

I previously worked in Oregon for the Bureau of Land Management, where bryophyte and lichen surveys are done on a regular basis. Since moving down here and currently working for the SBNF, I immediately began to survey for bryophytes every chance I got. When I began, no one really knew what we have here. To date I have collected 100’s of specimens and begun the process of identifying them. I have located, so far, approximately 19 different species of liverworts and to date—no hornworts yet. I can only estimate the that there are approximately 300 different species of moss that have been located so far. Identification of collected specimens is in the preliminary stage so it may be a while before we get a good list.

 

The San Bernardino National Forest has a unique coastal/mountain interface creating one of the most diverse habitats in the world. The unique characteristic of the SBNF provides for extremely high vascular floristic diversity, so we expect bryophyte diversity to also be high. It’s exciting to be working on the very beginning of what promises to be a very rich bryoflora. Knowledge of bryophytes on the SBNF is essential for the consideration of these ancient and amazing plants.

 

Bryophyte presentations and hikes are available through the Big Bear Discovery Center. If you’re interested in learning more, contact the Discovery Center at 909-382-4032, or you may contact Chris Wagner at 909-382-2834.