Moss flora of Lapseki (Çanakkale) mountains

Aim: The main aim of the present study was to reveal the moss flora of Lapseki (Çanakkale) Mountains, which was previously unknown in terms of Bryophytes, and to identify taxa in different climatic zones and habitats. Planned in line with these objectives, plants collected from field studies were identified, evaluated and completed. Material Method: The study material consisted of Bryophytes collected from 78 localities visited in different vegetation periods between 2022-2023. A total of 3000 samples were collected, identified from related flora and revisional studies and preserved into herbarium material. Results: As a result of the study, 200 taxa belonging to 52 families and 103 genera were identified. These are 162 taxa belonging to 30 families and 80 genera in Mosses (Bryophyta), 37 taxa belonging to 21 families and 22 genera in Liverworts (Marchantiophyta) and 1 taxon belonging to 1 family and 1 genus in Hornworts (Anthocerotophyta). Riccia cavernosa from liverworts and Codonoblepharon forsteri from mosses were identified from our research area as 3 collection localities. The habitats of both taxa are very interesting and species-specific. The biggest obstacle to further increase in the number reached in the flora, which has many different habitats and is shaped by the two different climates seen in the research area, is that the maximum altitude of the research area only reaches 720m. Among the liverworts Riccia and among the mosses Brachythecium, Orthotrichum, Lewinskya, Grimmia, Tortula, Syntrichia, Didymodon, Fissidens were recorded as the most abundant genera. Conclusion: Despite the intensive floristic studies on the Bryophytes of our country, there are still many areas waiting to be studied. With this study, the Bryophyte diversity of the Lapseki Mountains, whose flora was previously unknown, was revealed. Any negative activity in the area, which contains many fragile habitats, may cause the disappearance of the organisms that live with these mosses in the area. Keywords: Canakkale, Bryophytes, Mosses, Liverworts, Hornworts