Post-fire bryophyte dynamics in Mediterranean vegetation

Bryophyte dynamics after fire in the Mediterranean macchia of Southern Ital y was studied both by diachronic and synchronic approaches. Changes of bryo phyte cover and species composition were found in relation to both age and fire intensity. During the first 2 yr after fire, bryophytes dominated the plots which had experienced the highest fire intensity while herbs were dom inant in plots affected by Lighter fires. Pioneer species, such as Funaria hygrometrica, Barbula convoluta and Bryum dunense, characterized recent int ense fires, whereas Bryum torquescens, B. radiculosum and B. ruderale were dominant after less intense burning. Pleurochaete squarrosa, Tortula rurali formis and Tortella flavovirens dominated intermediate successional stages. Pleurocarpous mosses were dominant only in the older closed stands. Differ ent patterns of regeneration strategies were described: spores dominated ea rly stages of intense fire, while vegetative propagules characterized later successional stages and less severely burned areas. Although bryophytes us ually have a low abundance in Mediterranean vegetation, their role in post- fire vegetation dynamics may be locally enhanced according to burning condi tions.