<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Katowice is the largest city within the Upper Silesian Industrial District (S Poland). The investtigation conducted in this town earlier (1998-2000) showed limited number of epiphytic species. Recent study showed significant increase in number of localities of obligate epiphytes (mainly from the genera <italic>Orthotrichum</italic> and <italic>Ulota</italic>). They colonize mainly the edges of strongly urbanized areas bordering forest complexes and larger parks. This paper is an attempt to answer the question as currently in Katowice shape the main factors determining the occurrence of epiphytes. Crucial factors which govern epiphytes colonization processes in urban areas have been confirmed: bark chemistry (taking into account natural attributes and the influence of pollution) and air humidity. The preference of epiphytes towards inhabited phorophytes was confirmed as well. The most commonly and abundantly inhabited species were poplar and willow trees (which have a higher pH of bark).</p></abstract>

Katowice is the largest city within the Upper Silesian Industrial District (S Poland). The investtigation conducted in this town earlier (1998-2000) showed limited number of epiphytic species. Recent study showed significant increase in number of localities of obligate epiphytes (mainly from the genera Orthotrichum and Ulota). They colonize mainly the edges of strongly urbanized areas bordering forest complexes and larger parks. This paper is an attempt to answer the question as currently in Katowice shape the main factors determining the occurrence of epiphytes. Crucial factors which govern epiphytes colonization processes in urban areas have been confirmed: bark chemistry (taking into account natural attributes and the influence of pollution) and air humidity. The preference of epiphytes towards inhabited phorophytes was confirmed as well. The most commonly and abundantly inhabited species were poplar and willow trees (which have a higher pH of bark).

Determinants of occurrence of epiphytic mosses in the urban environment; a case study from Katowice city (S Poland)

Department of Botany and Nature Protection, Silesian University, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland

Department of Ecology, Silesian University, Bankowa 9, 40-032 Katowice, Poland

Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Silesia, Ostrogórska 30, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland

Acta Musei Silesiae, Scientiae Naturales

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Katowice is the largest city within the Upper Silesian Industrial District (S Poland). The investtigation conducted in this town earlier (1998-2000) showed...

Determinants of occurrence of epiphytic mosses in the urban environment; a case study from Katowice city (S Poland)

Published Online: Jan 22, 2016

Page range: 275 - 286

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/cszma-2015-0035

Keywords
epiphytes, mosses, urban areas, air pollution, Katowice city, Poland

© 2015 Silesian Museum

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Determinants of occurrence of epiphytic mosses in the urban environment; a case study from Katowice city (S Poland)

Published Online: Jan 22, 2016

Page range: 275 - 286

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/cszma-2015-0035

Keywordsepiphytes, mosses, urban areas, air pollution, Katowice city, Poland

© 2015 Silesian Museum

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
epiphytes, mosses, urban areas, air pollution, Katowice city, Poland