Diversity and Association of Algae and mosses in Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

At Botany and microbiology department, Faculty of Scince, Zagazig University. Egypt. Association between mosses and algae, may be affected by several factors such as the specificity of epiphytic relationships, intracellular colonization, and the overall biodiversity of the environment. Among the observed organisms, the alga Mougeotia sp. and the moss Barbula sp.₂ demonstrated a notably high relative abundance within the moss-algal community, as indicated by Simpson's diversity index. Likewise, Chrococcus sp, alongside Bryum sp.₂ and Didymodon luridus, recorded the highest values of species richness based on the Shannon index. The overall association between mosses and algae positively contributes to moss diversity observed in the field. The red brick wall was identified as the most favorable microhabitat supporting moss proliferation, while limestone surfaces, cement walls, and red bricks collectively serve as natural substrates conducive to algal growth in association with mosses. This study offers deeper insight into the ecology of aerial algae and highlights the environmental factors shaping algal and moss community structure and their roles in enhancing soil fertility.