The Epiphytic Bryophyte Communities of Akyazı District (Sakarya, Turkey): A Multivariate Study of Community-Habitat Relationships

In this study, epiphytic bryophyte vegetation of the Akyazı District in Sakarya Province (Turkey) was investigated. In the different vegetation periods of the year 2017, a total of 85 relevés taken from the trunks of trees and were classified by Braun-Blanquet method and regulated by using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA) and Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). TWINSPAN classification technique produced two main vegetation groups include eight clusters at the third level. The results of DECORANA indicated that the distribution patterns of epiphytic communities change from xeric to mesic and along the lower base and upper zones. The most important ecological factor for the epiphytic community differentiation in the study area, according to the ordination diagram, is humidity of the epiphytic habitats. Consequently, six epiphytic bryophyte associations and two subassociations were determined in the present paper. Among them; Orthotrichetum pallentis for the second time and Pterigynandretum filiformis -leucodontetosum sciuroidis were recorded for the first time in Turkey. Moreover, Orthotrichetum pallentis - isothecietosum alopecuroidis subass. nova was described as a new epiphytic association from the Akyazı District of Sakarya Province. Floristic and ecological characteristics such as; (humidity, light, acidity) of these new syntaxa are given with detailed descriptions.