Bryophytes are related to the available substrates within the forest as open soil,
rock outcrops, trunks and dead wood. As poikilohydric organisms, they are very
sensitive to air humidity conditions. In deciduous forest, litter layer inhibit the
establishment of a bryophyte layer, terricolous species are related to microdisturbances.
Epilithic bryophytes are sensitive to air humidity and dead wood
accumulation beside rock surface availability. Epiphytic communities are
determined mainly by tree species composition and presence of large trees. Dead
wood inhabiting assemblages deteriorated in managed forest landscape because
of limiting substrate (dead wood) availability. They show a clear succession during
decay resulting that the continuity of dead wood of different decay stages and
presence of large logs are necessary for their maintenance. Many dispersal limited
epiphyte and epixylic species are influenced by forest connectivity and the
temporal continuity of the appropriate substrate on landscape scale. They are very
sensitive to microclimate determining structural elements like presence of
secondary canopy, canopy gaps, shrub layer and presence of wetlands within the
forests. Although epiphytic and epixylic assemblages are studied separately they
belong to the same wood inhabiting bryophyte community related to the
development and decomposition of trees as an example of primary succession.
Because of the substrate and microclimate limitations of bryophytes, forest
management that maintain a continuous forest cover, presence and diversity of
dead wood as well as veteran trees can provide their long term sustainability
