Species found | Abundance * | Occurrence |
Dicranoweisia cirrata | Very abundant | 45% |
Bryum capillare | Abundant | 33% |
Racomitrium canescens | Abundant | 11% |
Tortula princeps | Abundant | 33% |
Rhytidiopsis robusta | Abundant | 11% |
Antitrichia californica | Sparse | 22% |
Ceratodon purpureus | Sparse | 56% |
Scleropodium cespitans | Sparse | 22% |
Tortula latifolia | Sparse | 11% |
Bryum argenteum | Rare | 11% |
*Abundance Code:
Average percent cover of a moss species on all rooftops
sampled
Very abundant = >40%
Abundant = 10-40%
Sparse = 1-10%
Rare = <1%
Only one roof sampled was of cedar shakes, the rest were of asphalt
shingles. Only Dicranoweisia cirrata and Bryum capillare
were found on the cedar shakes. However, all the species found
were present on asphalt shingles. On most rooftops sampled, there
were typically fewer than 4 species present. Of these, the most
common and abundant were Dicranoweisia cirrata, Bryum capillare,
Tortula princeps. These species tend to form dense mats that
cover large areas of the roof (see Part
1 of rooftop photos).
Racomitrium canescens var. ericoides (see Part
2 of rooftop photos) and Homalothecium aeneum were
abundant, but occurred infrequently. These species also
have the ability to form large mats. Ceratodon purpureus
was very commonly found on rooftops, but was in low abundance.
This species is commonly found on many substrates and in many
habitats. The remaining species were found infrequently, and in
low abundance. Antitrichia californica was found
growing in heavily shaded areas of the roofs, while the other
species were found in both exposed and shaded areas. This may
suggest that different moss species grow in areas shaded by trees.