The vegetation of moss-dominated spring corridors in the Gesäuse National Park

In the area of the Gesäuse National Park, 13 sites of moss-dominated floodplains were recorded during the 2006 growing season and documented, among other things, by 46 vegetation studies. The study is embedded in multiple efforts and activities of the National Park Administration regarding source mapping, monitoring and management and is intended to be a building block for understanding and knowledge of local source vegetation. A total of 43 foliage moss, 17 liver moss and 97 vascular plant species are elements of vegetation recordings and grew in the vicinity of the receiving areas. The ecological and syntaxonomically central position of the socialisations of the species of strong nerve moss (Cratoneuron = Palustriella commutata, P. falcata, P. decipiens) at sources in Central European limestone mountains was confirmed. The Palustriella species are briefly characterised. In the investigation area, 5 source plants are distinguished into 4 vegetation associations (Montio-Bryetum Schleicheri, Cratoneuretum falcati, Cratoneuron decipiens-Gesellschaft, Cratoneuretum commutati and a company from the Caricion remotae association). 3 red-listed moss species occur mainly in transition areas to high-water and alpine balm curvature; that is, the nature conservation importance of these moss populations is less in the rarity or endangerment of the moss species involved, than in the structuring of the source curvatures and as habitat niches for other groups of organisms. Current anthropogenic impairments of the investigated areas are documented and potential effects of the grazing of source corridors (or their exclusion) on moss vegetation are discussed with regard to management measures.