Multiple responses of bryophytes in a chronosequence of burnt areas in non-fire prone subtropical cloud forests

Post-fire recovery of bryophyte communities in non-fire-prone subtropical cloud forests does not follow a general pattern, as recolonization varies significantly among ecological and phylogenetic groups. A study conducted in Garajonay National Park analyzed 1158 samples across a chronosequence of burnt areas (5 to 57 years post-fire) and compared them with old-growth unburnt stands. The research found that climate and forest structure play crucial roles in recolonization, often overshadowing the time since fire as the primary influential factor. Bryophytes, key regulators of water cycling and microclimate, exhibit distinct responses to fire events, highlighting their importance in post-fire management and understanding ecosystem resilience.

Cedrés-Perdomo, R. D., Hernández-Hernández, R., Emerson, B. C., & González-Mancebo, J. M. (2023). Multiple responses of bryophytes in a chronosequence of burnt areas in non-fire prone subtropical cloud forests. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 58, 125702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2022.125702