Bryophytes in Protected Territories of Plovdiv City (Bulgaria): Preliminary Species List and First Data of Air Pollution Monitoring

The study comprises preliminary results of survey on bryophyte diversity in protected areas in the city of Plovdiv and biomonitoring urban air pollution with moss Hypnum cupressiforme. The finding of 2 species with conservational value (Isothecium myosuroides Brid., Grimmia crinita Brid.) suggests that surveys of bryophyte biodiversity across protected landscapes should be continued. The determined concentrations of 15 elements in Hypnum cupressiforme revealed no serious pollution by airborne heavy metals and toxic elements contaminants. The applied biomonitor and PCA distinctly separated anthropogenic influenced city sites and reference one.