Bryophytes from the wet areas of the Maritime Alps and their use as indicators of anthropic impact

The research was conducted in six areas of the Maritime Alps Natural Park to examine the bryophyte flora of this territory and to identify priority areas for conservation, with particular reference to those where livestock graze and that are marked by evident disturbance. The data on the ecological factors of humidity, light, nitrogen/fertility, and pH were elaborated to address ecological state of the studied sites. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was used in order to highlight the role of these factors on the impact of anthropic activity and of grazing. Analysis of the sensitivity of the species to anthropic impact reveals that, on one side, there is a prevalence of species preferring moderate anthropic impact, but on the other hand, many are the species adapted to living in conditions strong anthropic impact.