Abstract (eng)
The study at hand investigated the complexity and diversity related to the moss flora in the natura 2000 site of the Danube floodplain (Tullnerfelder Donauauen). The habitats under study included floodplain forests, dry grasslands, tall oatgrass meadows, bodies of water and man-made constructions. Here similar habitats have been compared and the attempt has been made to give an overview of the site conditions.
The habitat of dry grassland – with its species richness - was detected as a very important refuge for xerothermous mosses. Especially exposed, not covered by plants, areas have been proved to be hot spots of diversity. Likewise have been humid and wet locations in softwood floodplain forests important places for the species richness. Man-made traverses, which were built to return to near-natural conditions after river training, appeared also to have a great diversity relating to mosses. However, the merged backwater unfortunately showed a very homogeneous moss flora. Rheophilic species have been mainly founded within the range of the traverses.
The study showed, that due to long-term man-made influences (for example river training followed by return to natural conditions), on the one hand, and, on the other, current anthropogenic influences (as hunting and forestry) the habitats referred to for comparison purpose did not reveal any clear conclusions. Overall assessment of the area on the basis of moss flora appeared to be – caused by missing records of species (for example Ricciaceae) - very difficult or even impossible. Therefore further research is required.