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| Species richness patterns of ground-dwelling vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens
were compared along an altitudinal gradient (310–1135 m a.s.l.), in western Norway. Total
species richness peaked at intermediate altitudes, vascular plant species richness peaked
immediately above the forest limit (at 600–700 m a.s.l.), bryophyte species richness had no
statistically significant trend, whereas lichen richness increased from the lowest point
and up to the forest limit, with no trend above. It is proposed that the pattern in vascular
plant species richness is enhanced by an ecotone effect. Bryophyte species richness responds
to local scale factors whereas the lichen species richness may be responding to
the shading from the forest trees. | |
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