Use of bryological communities as a diagnostic tool of heavy metal soil contamination (Cd, Pb, Zn) in northern France

Correlations between terricolous bryophyte flora and edaphic parameters (pH , organic nitrogen (ON), C/N, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Organic Matte r (OM) and Pb, Cd and Zn soil contents) of metalliferous wastes in northern France were performed using statistical analysis (FCA, PCA and FCMA). The significant correlation between the classification based on the bryophyte f lora and that based on edaphic variables shows that bryophyte groupings hav e a strong bioindicative value. More information was obtained by taking int o account other parameters such as physiological stages (sterility, fertili ty, maturation, vitality). Three bryophyte classes were distinguished accor ding to Cd, Pb and Zn soil contents.