Hidden Greens- A Preliminary Checklist of Bryophytes from Adampur Forest, Sylhet

Nadra  Tabassum

doi:10.3329/brc.v12i1.86784

Authors

Nadra Tabassum Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/brc.v12i1.86784

Keywords:

Checklists, Bryophytes, Non-vascular plants, Adampur Forest, Bangladesh

Abstract

Bryophytes, though ecologically important, remain underrepresented in biodiversity research across South Asia. This study documents the bryophyte diversity of Adampur Forest in Moulvibazar, Sylhet, an area rich in microhabitats but previously unexplored for non-vascular flora. A field survey yielded more than 20 specimens, of which 20 species were identified and recorded with photographic documentation. These results constitute the first documented photographic record of bryophytes from this forest and provide a dependable baseline for future taxonomic and ecological research. Beyond contributing to species identification, the work highlights the ecological significance of bryophytes and underscores the need for broader surveys across seasons and regions. By raising awareness of overlooked components of forest ecosystems, this study supports biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts in Bangladesh.

References

Ahmad, M., Zhang, Y., Khan, S., Ali, R., Li, H., Singh, P., Kumar, D. and Wang, X. (2025), “Multifaceted plant diversity patterns across the Himalaya: Status and outlook”, Plant Diversity, KeAi Publishing Communications Ltd., pp. 529–543.

Alegro, A., Šegota, V., Vukelić, J., Križan, J., Jelić, D. and Bogdanović, S. (2023), “Diversity, Ecology and Phytogeography of Bryophytes across Temperate Forest Communities—Insight from Mt. Papuk (Croatia, SE Europe)”, Plants, Vol. 12 No. 19.

Babu, M.Q., Rahman, M., Hasan, M., Akter, S., Chowdhury, A.I. and Khan, M.R. (2024), “Unveiling the unknown: a butterfly checklist of the Adampur forest in Bangladesh”, Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 48 No. 1, pp. 85–97.

Banu-Fattah, K. (2005a), “Distichophyllum schmidtii Broth. (Hookeriaceae)–A New Report from Bangladesh”, Bangladesh Journal of Botany. Vol.34 No.1, pp. 45-47.

Banu-Fattah, K. (2005b), “Funaria hygometrica Hedw. (Funariaceae) from Bangladesh”, Bangladesh Journal of Botany, Vol. 34 No.2, pp. 121-124.

Banu-Fattah, K., and Sarker, S.K. (2007), “Bryophyte flora of greater Mymensingh district of Bangladesh - class: Bryopsida”, Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy, Vol 14 No.1, pp 47-66.

Banu-Fattah, K., and Sarker, S.K. (2010), “Bryophyte flora of greater Mymensingh district of Bangladesh- class: Hepaticopsida and Anthocerotopsida”, Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy, Vol 17 No.1, pp 55-67.

Brockerhoff, E.G., Barbaro, L., Castagneyrol, B., Forrester, D.I., Gardiner, B., González-Olabarria, J.R., Lyver, P.O’B., Meurisse, N., Oxbrough, A., Taki, H., Thompson, I.D., van der Plas, F. and Jactel, H. (2017), “Forest biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services”, Biodiversity and Conservation, Springer Netherlands, Vol 26, pp 3005–3035.

Corrales, A., Duque, Á., Urrego, L.E., Garzón, A. and Sánchez, M. (2010), “Abundance and diversity patterns of terrestrial bryophyte species in secondary and planted montane forests in the northern portion of the Central Cordillera of Colombia”, Bryologist, Vol. 113 No. 1, pp. 8–21.

Correia, A.M. and Lopes, L.F. (2023), “Revisiting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning through the lens of complex adaptive systems”, Diversity, VOL 15 No. 8, pp 895.

Donoghue, P.C.J., Paps, J., Pett, W., Fu, C.J., Banga, S.S., Bowen, L., Zhang, G. and Rensing, S.A. (2021), “The evolutionary emergence of land plants”, Current Biology, Cell Press, Vol 31, pp. R1281–R1298.

Gairola, S., Bhatt, A. and Negi, G.C.S. (2013), “Bryophytes and Ecosystem, in Biodiversity of Lower Plants”, Kumar, R.G., Kumar, M., Kumar, IK International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd, India, pp. 279-296.

Glime, J.M. (2024), “Roles of Bryophytes in Forest Sustainability—Positive or Negative?”, Sustainability (Switzerland),Vol 16, no. 6,pp 2359.

Harris, B.J., Puttick, M.N., Cox, C.J., Wickett, N.J. and Edwards, D. (2022), “Divergent evolutionary trajectories of bryophytes and tracheophytes from a complex common ancestor of land plants”, Nature Ecology and Evolution, Vol. 6 No. 11, pp. 1634–1643.

Haque, A. K., Khan, S. A., Uddin, S. N., & Rahim, M. A. (2017). “Taxonomic checklist of the pteridophytes of Rajkandi Reserve Forest, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh”, Jahangirnagar University Journal of Biological Sciences,Vol 5(2),pp. 27–40.

Ingerpuu, N., Vellak, K., Pärtel, M. and Rannik, R. (2001), “Bryophyte and vascular plant species richness in boreo-nemoral moist forests and mires”, Biodiversity and Conservation, Vol. 10 No. 12, pp. 2153–2166.

Oishi, Y. and Hiura, T. (2017), “Bryophytes as bioindicators of the atmospheric environment in urban-forest landscapes”, Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol. 167, pp. 348–355.

Printarakul, N. and Meeinkuirt, W. (2022), “The bryophyte community as bioindicator of heavy metals in a waterfall outflow”, Scientific Reports, Vol. 12 No. 1.pp 6942 .

Siddiqui, K.U., Islam, M.A., Ahmed, Z.U., Begum, Z.N.T., Hassan, M.A., Khondker, M., Rahman, M.M., Kabir, S.M.H., Ahmad, M., Ahmed, A.T.A., Rahman, A.K.A. and Haque, E.U. (2007), “Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh Volume 5: Bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms”, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Bangladesh, Vol 5, pp. 195-335.

Slate, M.L., Brown, J., Lindo, Z., Lang, S.I., Crowther, T.W., Wardle, D.A. and Turetsky, M.R. (2024), “Impact of changing climate on bryophyte contributions to terrestrial water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles”, New Phytologist, John Wiley and Sons Inc., pp. 2411–2429.

Tabassum, N. (2018), “A Taxonomic Account of Pteridophytic Flora of Adampur Forest, Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh”, Journal of Biological Sciences, Vol 27 No. 1, pp 101-111.

Tabassum, N., Begum, M., and Rahman, M.O. (2020),” Jungermannia exertifolia Steph.-A new Bryophyte record from Bangladesh”, Journal of Biological Sciences, Vol 29 No. 1, pp 133-136.

Truchy, A., Angeler, D.G., Sponseller, R.A., Johnson, R.K. and McKie, B.G. (2015), “Linking biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services, and ecological resilience: Towards an integrative framework for improved management”, in Dumbrell, A.J., Kordas, R.L. and Woodward, G. (Eds.), Advances in Ecological Research, Academic Press Inc., pp. 55–96.

Wikipedia contributors (2025). Sylhet Division. Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sylhet_Division&oldid=1309239038