Context- and taxon-dependent small-scale taxonomic and phylogenetic nestedness of bryophytes on insular rocks in a karst natural reserve and its implication for their conservation

The distribution patterns of five categories and 183 species of bryophytes, and six physical attributes, on 92 insular rocks in three karst districts (Pangxiegou, the weather station in Shishangsenglin and Yaolancun) with different landscape properties in the Maolan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China, were recorded and analysed in terms of nestedness. By using matrix temperature, NODF metrics under four null models, treeNODF and permrows null model, we evaluated the taxonomic and phylogenetic nestedness at a small scale and explored possible underlying mechanisms. We found (1) a significant taxonomic and phylogenetic nestedness among the bryophytes and their main categories on these insular rocks, not only in the whole study region but also in each of the three districts; (2) higher taxonomic nestedness for mosses than for liverworts, and higher for acrocarpous mosses than for pleurocarpous mosses, indicating that nestedness of bryophytes on insular rocks in karst regions is taxon-..., , , # Context- and taxon-dependent small-scale taxonomic and phylogenetic nestedness of bryophytes on insular rocks in a karst natural reserve and its implication for their conservation

\[[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.0zpc8676w](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.0zpc8676w)]

We selected all well-insulated rocks in these three districts, resulting in a total of 92 sampling sites (rocks). These rocks varied in area, height, soil thickness, flatness, humidity, and habitat types (Supporting information). On each rock, several lines 30 cm apart were set. The length of these lines varied with rock size and shape. Along each line, a rigid frame (with an area of 10 × 10 cm) was placed at an interval of 30 cm along the line. The frame was further partitioned (by fine wires) into 25 sub-quadrats each with a size of 2.0 × 2.0 cm. The coverage of each bryophyte species on the frame (quadrate) was estimated by counting the number of intersection points of fine wires at which the species was present

## **...