Briófitas del área urbana de Santiago de Chile: especies, hábitats y consideraciones para su conservación

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a botanical survey about the mosses, liverworts and hornworts (bryophytes), that inhabit the urban area of the city of Santiago in the Metropolitan Region of Chile (33º 27S - 70º 38W). The methodology included literature revision, consultation of databases and biological sampling in different green areas that form part of Santiago city. The fl oristic study was based on transects and sample plots to estimate and characterize the species richness for each microhabitat. The
results from the sources of information reveal the occurrence of 117 species in the metropolitan area of Santiago, while only 55 species were found in the fl oristic study. The mean species richness is higher in urban hills (X= 13.8) than in city parks (X=4.42). The most common habitats are soil and rocks.

The predominant growth habit of mosses is acrocarpous (83%) and complex thallose morphology for liverworts (48%). Regarding the distribution patterns, the species are cosmopolitan, endemic to South America and even endemic to the central regions of Chile. Costesia macrocarpa, Frullania quillotensis, Syntrichia cf. muricata, Paraphymatoceros aff. diadematus, are recorded for the fi rst time for the Metropolitan Region. The results highlight the importance of considering the urban hills as refuges for bryophytes and give value and enriched the collections of the Cryptogamic Herbarium (SGO) of the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN).