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Bryophyte floristics in Grand Canyon National Park
For my Master's of Science research (Northern Arizona University), I spent three summers moss hunting in Grand Canyon National Park and found over 150 species of bryophytes (mosses & liverworts). This work contributed over 50 new species records for Arizona. My modern checklist can be used to study how mosses respond to climate change over time.
North Rim
Along the North Rim (elevation >8000 ft), I found greater diversity and abundance of feather mosses (pleurocarps) and liverworts (desiccation-sensitive moss relatives) that need more moisture and cooler temperatures.
South Rim
On the South Rim (elevation <6500 ft), I found mostly cushion-forming, tree-like mosses (acrocarps) adapted to extreme desiccation and hot temperatures.
Grand Canyon Moss Floristics Gallery
Tap or hover over the photos to view captions.
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