The epiphytic bryophyte vegetation of Kamilet Valley (Artvin, Turkey)

In this study, the vegetation of epiphytic bryophytes in the Kamilet Valley and its surroundings (Arhavi, Artvin) was investigated. The study area is located within the borders of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains and is one of the 122 important plant areas in Turkey. The investigation of epiphytic bryophyte communities was carried out in 2016 during different vegetation periods according to Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological methodology. Phytosociological data obtained from 65 relevés were ordinated using detrended correspondence analysis (DECORANA) and classified using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Consequently, six epiphytic bryophyte communities new to Turkey were determined with TWINSPAN and DECORANA: Leucobryo-Tetraphidetum pellucidae, Anomodonto attenuati-Neckeretum crispae, Frullanio tamarisci-Exsertothecetum crispae, Ulotetum crispae, Anomodonto attenuati-Neckeretum crispae-leucodontetosum sciuroidis, and Ulotetum crispae-isothecietosum alopecuroidis. All syntaxa are presented by analyzing them in terms of their ecological and floristic classifications.