Liverworts show a globally consistent mid-elevation richness peak.

ABSTRACT: The study of elevational gradients allows to draw conclusions on the factors and mechanisms determining patterns in species richness distribution. Several earlier studies investigated liverwort diversity on single or few elevational transects. However, a comprehensive survey of the elevational distribution patterns of liverwort richness and their underlying factors is lacking so far. This study's purpose was to fill this gap by compiling an extensive data set of liverwort elevational patterns encompassing a broad diversity of mountains and mountain ranges around the world. Using polynomial regression analyses, we found a prevalence of hump-shaped richness patterns (19 of 25 gradients), where liverwort species richness peaked at mid-elevation and decreased towards both ends of the gradient.

SUBMITTER: Maul K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10034488 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature