A Bryophyte Inventory of Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A bryophyte inventory of Carlsbad Caverns National Park identified 41 species, including 38 mosses and three liverworts, with no hornworts detected. Notably, Riccia atromarginata was documented for the first time in New Mexico, and previously unpublished photographs of Mannia paradoxa, collected in 1982, were shared. Contrary to initial assumptions, seasonally flooded arroyos and north-facing limestone cliffs exhibited higher bryophyte diversity than the park's natural springs, highlighting the importance of these habitats despite water scarcity. The study provides a comprehensive baseline for bryophyte biodiversity in this unique karst landscape.

Kleinman, R., Blisard, K. S., Allred, K. W., & West, R. (2020). A Bryophyte Inventory of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Evansia, 37(2), 50. https://doi.org/10.1639/0747-9859-37.2.50