Diversity of mosses on stumps and logs in the Karkonosze Mts (Sudetes Mts, Central Europe)

The species richness and abundance of mosses on 650 logs and 938 stumps were investigated in the lower and upper montane forest belts in the Karkonosze National Park and its surrounding area (Karkonosze Mountains in southwestern Poland). A total of 76 species and one moss variety were found (68 taxa on logs and 62 on stumps), including two threatened in Poland, Amblystegium radicale (R category) and Tayloria serrata (I). Factors determining the abundance and richness of mosses on dead wood were: tree species, the stage of wood decomposition, size and moisture of logs and stumps, and their degree of insolation. Different succession patterns of mosses on stumps and logs were shown. These differences are caused, among other things, by different manner and time of their decomposition and water retention capacity.