The Mosses of Kent Island, New Brunswick

Thirty-nine moss species occur on Kent Island, New Brunswick. Two-thirds of the moss species found on the island have mainly boreal ranges, which reflects the cool growing season and generally boreal character of the Bay of Fundy's vegetation. One species, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, has been recorded only once previously in the province. Most moss species showed distinctive habitat distributions. Percent cover of the 12 commonest species was highest in spruce-fir forest and lowest in mountain ash stands. Sporophyte production was relatively low in all species and varied between habitats. Sporophytes were observed in fewer than 1 % of 25 x 25 cm quadrats during the months of June and July. The low species richness of mosses on Kent Island relative to mainland habitats is presumably due to the island's small size, isolation from the mainland, low elevation, relatively simple plant community, and harsh physical environment.