Notes on the production of stream bryophytes in the high Pyrenees (France)

The production estimate for Fontinalis squamosa of 92 gm m-2 was a minimum one assuming an annual branching pattern. Standing crops for the total stream area of bryophytes of 325 gm m-2 for the site at Artigusse and of 92 gm m-2 for the Estaragne tributary were recorded. The area covered was however high in the former and very low in the latter (only 7%). The maximum recorded standing crops were 1 960 gm m-2 for Cratoneuron commutation and 682 gm m-2 for Fontinalis and Fissidens combined.The splash zone around a small water chute is described.