Host specificity of epiphytic bryophyte communities of a laurel forest on Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

We studied bryophyte species composition on five tree species (Erica scoparia, Laurus azorica, Myrica faya, Ilex canariensis, and I. Perado) of the laurel forest on Tenerife in order to determine the dominant factors influencing bryophyte community structure. Most of the 37 bryophyte species we found (24 liverworts and 11 mosses) are facultative epiphytes; many were found on several tree.species, while five occurred on all tree species. DCA and CCA indicated that bryophyte species composition is significantly related to tree species identity. For each tree species, bark characteristics, plot exposure (windward and leeward to the prevailing trade winds), height (50 or 130 cm), tree size, and uprightness have differing relationships to bryophyte species composition. Bryophyte growth,forms appeared to relate to the moisture conditions of the tree bark.