Bryophyte diversity within urban areas: Case study of the city of Belgrade (Serbia)

Abstract

The bryophyte diversity and urban bryophyte flora of the city of Belgrade was studied. In total 210 taxa were recorded, with 23 hepatics and 187 mosses. Comparing to some other urban areas of Europe, bryophyte diversity of the Belgrade metropolitan belongs among the richest in Europe, however bryophyte are not abundant. Among bryophytes of Belgrade city, there are 14 nationally red-listed species and two internationally threatened. According to the frequency of records, the Belgrade bryophytes are classified to rare, common and spread. Rare species within the urban area are 94, 69 are common to find and only 24 are spread and easy to record in Belgrade wide area. Urban metropolitan areas are different from native but gives various condition in small shelters for rich diversity of small organisms like bryophytes.