The Bryophyte flora of the anthills at Old Hall Marshes
Observations
The main observation is that the anthills act as mini micro-climates with certain species of bryophyte
often restricted to particular aspects on the anthill. The following diagrams show the five commonest
species found and the preference they showed (north is orientated towards the top of the page).
N
Brachythecium albicans
This moss generally shows a preference for an encircling of the
summit except in Plots I and J where it becomes abundant on the
top of the anthill as well. These two plots are both in compartment
4, which has the lightest grazing of all the compartments, and the
grasses surround and overtop the anthills here.
Ceratodon purpureus
This moss is at its most abundant on the top of the anthill and on the
south facing side showing its preference for dry, sunny conditions.
The commonest moss present overall, it was scarcest on Plots I and
J where its place had been taken by the previous species.
Eurhynchium praelongum
This moss was almost invariably at the base of the anthill on the
north side. However, it could be found on the north face of the anthill
if this was particularly steep and, therefore, always in shade.
Hypnum cupressiforme
Another moss which generally preferred the north facing slope of
the anthill although it tended to be towards the top of the slope and
often towards the east. Occasionally it would be abundant and
dominate the top of the anthill as well. There appeared to be no
correlation to the amount of surrounding vegetation on these
particular hills.
Lophocolea semiteres
This liverwort was invariably found on the north facing side of the
anthill and on those where it was particularly frequent it would be
present over the whole slope and even creep round on to the east
side.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)
175