Bryophytes from Simeonof Island in the Shumagin Islands, southwestern Alaska

Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory
By: , and 

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Abstract

Simeonof Island is located south of the Alaska Peninsula in the hyperoceanic sector of the middle boreal subzone. We examined the bryoflora of Simeonof Island to determine species composition in an area where no previous collections had been reported. This field study was conducted in sites selected to represent the spectrum of environmental variation within Simeonof Island. Data were analyzed using published reports to compare bryophyte distribution patterns at three levels, the Northern Hemisphere, North America, and Alaska. A total of 271 bryophytes were identified: 202 mosses and 69 liverworts. The annotated list of species for Simeonof Island expands the known range for many species and fills distribution gaps within Hultén's Western Pacific Coast district. Maps and notes on the distribution of 14 significant distribution records are presented. Compared with bryophyte distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, the bryoflora of Simeonof Island primarily includes taxa of boreal (55%), temperate (20%), arctic (10%), and cosmopolitan (8%) distribution; 6% of the moss flora are western North America endemics. A description of the bryophytes present in the vegetation and habitat types is provided as is a quantitative analysis of the most frequently occurring bryophytes in crowberry heath.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Bryophytes from Simeonof Island in the Shumagin Islands, southwestern Alaska
Series title Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory
DOI 10.18968/jhbl.95.0_155
Volume 95
Year Published 2004
Language English
Publisher Hattori Botanical Laboratory
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description 44 p.
First page 155
Last page 198
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Simeonof Island
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