Environmental and geographical analysis of some liverwort species from natural and anthropogenic ecosystems of the recreation zone in the Central Caucasus
Liverworts are a specific and scientifically interesting group of higher plants spread all over the world. At present liverworts are the least studied as compared to other groups of higher plants because of their relatively small size, insignificant role in the formation of mountain phytocoenoses and the difficulties in identifying many representatives of this group. Nevertheless, liverworts are one of the multiple components of ecosystems and should be thoroughly investigated. At present the liverwort inventory is a pressing issue since the problem of preserving biodiversity is a top priority in modern biology. Current methods of spatial analysis and species distribution modelling make it possible to estimate species distribution based on scanty findings. On the one hand, this helps improve the assessment efficiency and, on the other hand, facilitate searching and finding new species habitats in terms of predictive distribution, that being especially important under mountain conditions. MaxEnt analysis is one of the most effective tools for primary assignment of species landscape and biotopical distribution. Using the distribution patterns of environment property values, the MaxEnt mathematical logic approach singles out habitats similar to those where the species under investigation can be found providing its balanced adaptation to the environment. All calculations are made according to five methodologies (linear, quadratic, multiplicative, hinge and complex). Environment variables can be distinguished in each method to estimate the most probable species finding and habitat suitability. This allows the biological relevance of the results obtained to be monitored. Based on the research works, the authors reveal Central Caucasian habitats of this rare species listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, identify possible limiting factors in its distribution and perform comparative spatial analysis of three liverwort species.