Abstract

DUARTE-HERNANDEZ, Mario; MURO-PEREZ, Gisela; ESTRADA-CASTILLON, Eduardo  and  SANCHEZ-SALAS, Jaime. Bryofloristic diversity of the Puente de Ojuela tourist area, in the sierra of Mapimí, Durango, Mexico. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2023, vol.10, n.3, e3464.  Epub Apr 26, 2024. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a10n3.3464.

Bryophytes are taxa mainly related to sites with water availability, however, it is possible to find them in arid areas growing freely, although even in these areas there are different microhabitats. The bryophytes sample collected along an altitude gradient in a tourist area called Puente de Ojuela were identified and their habitat preference was also established. A total of 17 species of bryophytes were identified in an altitudinal range of 1 353 to 1 850 meters above sea level, which showed that as altitude increased, the diversity of bryophytes did so proportionally. Of the 17 species identified, seven are new records for the zone. The bryofloristic diversity in interest area increases with the altitude, rather than with the direct presence of the water resource. The aforementioned, gap in knowledge of said diversity is covered. The study is considered fundamental for new lines of research involving Bryophyta taxa in semiarid environments.

Keywords : Bryophytes; altitudinal gradient; habitat preference; arid and semi-arid zone.