Investigating the establishment of mosses with ornamental value on decayed tree trunks and their relationship with the host trees for use in green spaces

There is a growing interest in using mosses as primary and evergreen plants in both natural and man-made landscapes. A strategy for biodiversity conservation and restoration in green spaces is to study the spatial distribution patterns of moss species, their relationship with host trees, and their abundance levels and diversity over time. This study aimed to investigate the establishment of moss species with ornamental value on the trunks of five tree species (Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Carpinus betulus L., Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey., Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey., and Acer velutinum Boiss.) by measuring canopy level and alpha and beta diversity indices over four six-month periods. The researchers also used indicator value index (IndVal) to determine indicator moss species. The study identified 28 moss species from 15 genera and 12 families on the host trees. Results showed that moss diversity, abundance, and canopy levels decreased over time. Among the host trees, C. betulus had the highest moss species diversity and abundance, while A. velutinum had the lowest. The interaction of mosses with their host trees revealed that F. orientalis and C. betulus had the highest number of combined indicator species. Moss crown coverage had a different function from moss diversity and abundance. At the end of the study period, the highest percentage of moss crown cover was observed in A. velutinum, which had the lowest diversity and abundance indices. Overall, the study suggests that using a combination of canopy percentage and abundance indices, and considering the relationship between mosses and host trees, can help select the most suitable moss species for use in other ecosystems.