Autecology of mosses in coniferous forests in the central western Cascades of Oregon

Forest mosses contribute to nutrient cycling, provide food and nesting materials to small animals, and serve as biological indicators. In addition, the harvest of moss as a special forest product has grown in recent years in the Pacific Northwest. To quantify certain ecological characteristics of moss species, we examined substrate and forest community affinities in the central western Cascades of Oregon. Cover and frequency of individual species were measured on the forest floor, logs, and tree bases in Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg., and Abies amabilis Dougl. ex Forbes forest communities. Thirty moss species were found, representing 21 genera and 13 families. Common substrates for individual moss species were identified on the basis of frequency values. Mosses comprise a substantial portion of the vegetative biological diversity in forest ecosystems in the Cascades. A better understanding of moss autecology will assist resource managers in protecting this important source of diversity.