The diversity of moss in the Cemoro Kandang hiking trail, Mount Lawu and the Baturraden botanical gardens, Central Java

Abstract

Abstract Moss plants in tropical mountain forest areas play an essential role in water balance and the forest’s nutrient cycle, serving as a substrate, food source, and a place for forest organisms to live. This study aims to analyze the diversity of moss plants in Mount Lawu and Baturraden Botanical Gardens based on the height of the place and substrate type. Moss plants were observed along the Cemoro Kandang hiking trail and around the Baturraden Botanical Garden. A total of 30 species of mosses consisting of 19 species of true mosses, 10 species of liverworts, 1 species of hornworts. The moss plants on the hiking trail are included in 13 orders and 20 families. There are 13 species of mosses found in the Baturraden Botanical Garden, including 7 orders and 10 families, including 8 species of true mosses, 4 species of liverworts, and 1 species hornworts. The highest moss species diversity at the two locations is true mosses (Bryophyta). Most of the mosses are terrestrial mosses. True mosses are evenly distributed in the highlands rather than the lowlands.