Comparison of species richness and frequency cover of forest floor plants and lichens in sites invaded and uninvaded by the invasive club moss Selaginella kraussiana (Kunze) A. Braun.

Abstract

Selaginella kraussiana, or the African club moss, is a fern ally in the family Selaginellaceae invasive to several countries including New Zealand. This study was carried out to compare species richness and frequency cover in adjacent forest floor botanical communities with and without S. kraussiana using a paired experimental design. Sites with S. kraussianahad reduced species richness, particularly the number of conifer and flowering plant species.Frequency cover (excluding S. kraussiana) was not significantly affected.