RYOPHYTES FLORA OF SHERINGAL VALLEY DIR UPPER KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN

Bryophyte

Abstract

The study was conducted in the Sheringal Valley of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, to investigate the Bryophytes species of the area. It is the first attempt to document the Bryophytes species in the selected area.  A total of 27 moss species (20 genera, 14 families), 16 liverwort species in 13 genera, 8 families and two species of hornwort have been reported from sheringal valley. Sheringal valley has a more typical tropical bryoflora, fewer thallose liverworts and moss taxes are also found. A richer habitat variety including dry and wet habitats, as well as its bigger area, seem to account for the higher number of the bryophyte species in sheringal valley. Most bryophytes in sheringal valley are epiphyllous (30%), saxicolous (20%), Corticolous (40%) and terrestrial (10%).