Influence of Quercus robur Throughfall on Elemental Composition of Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. and Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw

The aim of this paper was to estimate the influence of deposition of N, Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn Cd, and Pb from under canopy in comparison with open space waters on the elemental composition of the moss layer to test the hypothesis that Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. and Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. growing under the influence of canopy throughfall of Quercus robur contain higher amounts of elements than the same species growing in an open area. P. schreberi and H. cupressiforme growing under a Q. robur canopy contained higher amounts of N, Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb, and H. cupressiforme (in addition also Zn) than the same species growing in an open area. Principal component and classification analysis (PCCA) ordination revealed that P. schreberi and H. cupressiforme growing under throughfall and in open spaces were distinguished by a factor of 1 related to Mg, P, S, Mn, Fe, Zn, Pb (positive scores), and K, Ca (negative scores) and both species were distinguished by a factor of 2 related to Co, Cu, and Cd (negative scores).