A Floristic Survey of Bryophytes of Four Boulder Outcrop Communities in South Carolina

The bryophytes of four habitats in South Carolina characterized by outcroppings of different rock types (i.e., gabbro, soapstone, granite, or diabase) were collected and identified. Slope, aspect, relative canopy closure, and dominant tree, shrub, and herb species were noted at each site. Soil pH and relative hardness of rock were also measured. Bryophyte species composition was compared among the four habitats in general, and site to site comparisons were made within comparable microhabitats (i.e., species on rock, trees, soil, or decaying wood). Although habitat and site differences were found, there appeared to be no obvious environmental factor to account for relationships between and distribution of species compositions.