The bryophyte flora of Sorgun Valley ((Mersin/İçel)

As a biodiversity element, bryophytes, like other plants, maintain the balance of the ecosystem and ensure the continuation of life on earth. Therefore, it is necessary to understand bryophyte diversity well in order to protect biodiversity in the world. In this study, bryophyte samples were collected from Sorgun Valley located on the southern slope of the Bolkar Mountains between 2023 and 2024. 548 bryophyte samples collected from 38 different localities in Sorgun Valley located in Erdemli district of Mersin province were identified. As a result, 15 taxa belonging to 11 families and 12 genera belonging to Marchantiophyta (Liverworts) divisio and 114 taxa belonging to 20 families and 55 genera belonging to Bryophyta (leaved mosses) divisio were found. It was determined that 34 of these were new records for Mersin province. In addition, ecological analyses were performed for 4 vegetation layers (SAVK, AAVK, ÜAVK and ADVK) determined depending on the altitude, climate and vegetation in the research area and indicator bryophyte taxa were determined for each layer. For this purpose, the "Indicator Species" analysis in the Mutivariete analyses was used in the PAST 4.17c program. In this study, Didymodon acutus (Brid.) K. Saito, Didymodon vinealis (Brid.) R.H.Zander, Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm., Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.) Schimp., Ptychostomum capillare (Hedw.) Holyoak & N.Pedersen, Tortula muralis Hedw. and Trichostomum crispulum Bruch taxa were suggested as indicator taxa.