Bryophyte diversity of the montane streams in the Mediterranean region: a study on of the Aspromonte massif (Southern Italy)

A study on the bryophyte diversity of the montane watercourses, falling in the Aspromonte National Park, is presented. The floristic investigation was supported by a biological and chorological analysis, showing a prevalence of directly linked to water and supra-aquatic species, with mat biotype and perennial stayer life strategy and a prevalence of temperate and boreo-temperate species. The occurrence of some cryophytic species of phytogeographical interest, at risk for global climate change, was detected. They are Racomitrium aciculare, Philonotis capillaris, rare in the south Italy, Dichodontium pellucidum, Chiloscyphus pallescens var. pallescens, Diobelonella palustris, quite rare also in the Mediterranean region; Calypogeia sphagnicola, very rare in the Mediterranean, is known in Italy only for some northern regions. Moreover, the inclusion of the species Sciuro-hypnum plumosum, Scapania undulata, Racomitrium aciculare and Dichodontium pellucidum as characteristic in the new proposed Habitat 32A0 Stream communities of Southern Apennine and Sicily of the 92/43/CEE Habitat Directive, is proposed.