ABSTRACT
The current status of the bryophytes of Western Ghats and their distribution pattern is examined. Like other plant groups, the distribution of Bryophytes also is on par with the moisture regime of the area. The diversity of this group varies in accordance with the altitudinal zones, and the nature of the macro vegetation types of the area. A total of 1224 bryophytes including 21 hornworts, 379 species liverworts, and 824 species mosses are known from the Western Ghats from the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu along the Western Ghats. Among these 79 species are endemic to Western Ghats. The details on the distribution of Bryophytes were prepared based on the field studies conducted in the area and earlier works such as the checklists for Kerala (Manju et al., 2008), Tamil Nadu (Daniels, 2010), Karnataka (Frahm et al., 2013), and other published records. It also corresponds to the extent of works carried out in these areas.
