An ecological approach to bryophytes of beehive yards: is there a bee-moss relationship

The bryophyta flora composition of three beehive yards in a wide area of Belgrade, Serbia, has been studied. The bryophyta vegetation abundance in the studied areas, as well as its diversity have been compared. The aim of this study was to find out the relationship between bees and mosses, if any. Observations of bees visiting bryophytes were made. Bees are facultative visitors of bryophytes. Direct relationship between bees and mosses were not found. However, indirect statistically supported relationships exist. Bryophytes when present act as a huge bio-sponge, prologe the period of turgescency and enrich flowering of vascular plants growing above them. This way they influence bees to spent more time around the beehives and do not fly long distances searching for pastures.