A preliminary survey of moss flora of Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India

The present study aims to account for the moss flora of Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, district Solan, Himachal Pradesh (HP). Frequent field visits were made in different seasons to collect moss samples. Ecological data like temperature, humidity, and habitat preferences were also recorded at the time of collection. A total of 31 moss species belonging to 22 genera and 15 families were recorded so far. The family Pottiaceae (7 spp.) was the most dominant one, followed by Brachytheciaceae (4 spp.), Polytrichaceae, Fissidentaceae, and Entodontaceae with (3 spp.) each. In the acrocarpous mosses, family Pottiaceae was highly dominant, whereas, among the pleurocarpous mosses family, Brachytheciaceae was dominant. Among the genera, Atrichum P. Beauv. (Acrocarpous), Fissidens Hedw. (Acrocarpous), and Entodon C. Muell. (Pluerocarpous) were dominantly present, represented by three species each. This study provides baseline data of moss diversity and their ecological attributes in Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, which may prove beneficial in establishing policies for future exploration of bryodiversity with proper management and conservation in the sanctuary area. 