Western Mount Kenya Bryophytes I

Abstract

The bryophyte composition of the western side of Mt Kenya between 2,400 and 5,199 m was studied. Ninety-nine species were identified, 66 belonging to Bryopsida and 33 to Hepaticopsida. The greatest diversity in terms of species numbers and life forms comes from the montane forests where ideal conditibns of temperature, rainfall, humidity and altitude for bryophyte growth are found. This diversity decreases as altitude increases.