Environmental correlates of tardigrade community structure in mosses and lichens in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina, USA)

A comprehensive inventory of tardigrades in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park revealed that sulfur oxide (SOx) deposition is the primary environmental factor influencing species richness and evenness in moss-dwelling tardigrades, while forest disturbance regimes significantly impact lichen-associated communities. The study analyzed 365 samples from mosses and lichens, identifying 57 tardigrade species, with 11 uniquely found on rock habitats. Unlike soil tardigrade communities, which were distinct, no significant differences were observed between moss and lichen substrates or sampling heights. Environmental variables, including SOx deposition and disturbance regimes, were key drivers of community structure, providing critical insights into the ecological dynamics of these microscopic organisms in one of the world's most biodiverse UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Nelson, D. R., Bartels, P. J., & Fegley, S. R. (2019). Environmental correlates of tardigrade community structure in mosses and lichens in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina, USA). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz043