Abstract
Mire bryophytes grow in close contact with the peat substrate and are therefore sensitive indicators of the environment. We assemble field and literature data on habitat requirements of peatland bryophytes and develop methods for their use in environmental monitoring. With these new data and methods, indicators can help to explain the reasons for recent changes in peatland vegetation and strengthen the monitoring in the Natura 2000 network. The approach can also be used in reconstruction of past changes from macrofossils in peat stratigraphy. Published lists with indicator values are subjective and at best semiquantitave. We make use of a network of international contacts to assemble data with standardized methods. In contrast to vascular plants, the bryoflora in N American is similar to the European and respond similarly to environment, and N American data can be included. For a selection of species (representing different morphologies and habitats) we experimentally test their precise responses to habitat variables. This will give knowledge of the shape of response curves (e.g. unimodal, linear). We also develop a protocol for experimental screening of species that will allow precise measurements of their response to environmental variables. The application of indicator values is often used with primitive statistical methods, and we want to explore how prediction of environmental conditions can be improved by the use of more advanced methods and models.
Sweden