Checklist of the Bryophytes of Bogotá, D. C., Colombia

Abstract

In Colombia, ecosystems such as the páramos and high Andean forests are characterized by their high diversity of bryophytes. These include mosses, liverworts and hornworts. They lack complex tissues, which contribute to their relatively small size and their ability to grow on various substrates, even in nutrient-poor or polluted environments such as cities. Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is known for its plentiful water resources and cold climate. It also encompasses one of the world's largest paramo ecosystems. This study compiles specimen distribution data from databases and herbaria, refining the nomenclature to produce a list of 450 bryophyte taxa reported within Bogotá. Of these, 279 are mosses, 167 are liverworts and, for the first time, four species of hornwort have been reported. This study highlights Bogotá’s significance as a refuge for important Neotropical bryophyte diversity