Cryptogams species diversity of mountain forest springs of the Stołowe Mountains National Park

Spring areas are specific habitats characterized by higher humidity, which favors the presence of a range of living organisms. We have studied three types of mountain forest springs (<i>Piceo-Alnetum, Carici remotae-Fraxinetum, and Equiseto sylvatici-Piceetum abietis</i> communities) of the Stołowe Mountains National Park (Poland), focusing on the species diversity of lichens and bryophytes. In terms of the diversity of cryptogam species, mountain forest springs exhibit a large pool of shared species. This similarity is most notable between the <i>Piceo-Alnetum</i> and <i>Carici remotae-Fraxinetum</i> associations. The highest number of species was found in <i>Piceo-Alnetum</i>. The results indicate that species richness of lichens and bryophytes was significantly higher in ash and alder springs. This high species richness was associated with the presence of <i>Alnus</i> species, <i>Acer pseudoplatanus</i>, and <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> trees. Springs in mountainous areas serve as important hotspots for cryptogam species diversity, particularly for valuable species such as those that are protected, endangered, or relics of ancient forests. In the spring areas studied, only one invasive bryophyte species was found.