De mosflora van de Canarische Eilanden

This paper reports on the bryophyte flora of the Canary Islands. The account is based on numerous field trips (1984-1994), taxonomical research, and the study of literature. Thanks to the grid-based collecting trips (Fig. 1.), distribution maps become possible. Because of the marked difference between the high western islands (Hierro, La Palma, Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria) and the low eastern islands (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote), bryophyte distributions reflecting this difference are to be expected (Crossidium crassinerve, Fig. 2.). On the western islands this species is confined to the dry, southern parts. Goniomitrium seroi is confined to the driest places of the southern parts of Hierro, La Palma, Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. Yet, it is absent from both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote (Fig. 3.). Species of laurel forests are almost confined to the northern slopes of the four western islands (Heteroscyphus denticulatus, Fig. 4.). Species that normally grow above 1000 m are confined to the western islands, Gran Canaria included. Anacolia webbii, for example, is common in mountainous areas (Fig. 5.), and thus absent from both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Grimmia species like G. montana seldom occur below 2000 m. Hence they are limited to the highest peaks of La Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria (Fig. 6).