Limitation of distribution of two rare ferns in fragmented landscape

Species distribution in the landscape is limited either by 1. diaspore production, dispersal and establishment abilities or 2. by availability of suitable habitats; 3. or by a combination of both factors. The relative importance of these factors is species-dependent and has mainly been studied for seed plants. We studied the importance of habitat and dispersal limitation for distribution of two rare fern species, Asplenium adulterinum and Asplenium cuneifolium, restricted to serpentine rocks, using analysis of their distribution on a regional scale (several kilometers). Within the model region, all 98 serpentine rocks were mapped. We used data on abiotic characteristics and on the presence of all vascular plant species on the rocks to predict which of the rocks were suitable for the two Asplenium species. Suitable habitats were positively defined mainly by the presence of appropriate microhabitats and the height of the highest rock, which represents the size of space with lowered concurrence. Other determinants of habitat suitability differed between species. Neither species occupied all suitable localities, indicating dispersal limitation. Locality isolation significantly affected one of the species but not the other. Overall, the results suggest that both fern species have suitable but unoccupied localities in the region and demonstrates that ferns, similar to seed plants, are limited by their dispersal ability in the landscape.

► Study on distribution limitation by dispersal in two fern species on regional spatial scale.
► Suitable unoccupied habitats exist in both species, suggesting dispersal limitation.
► Isolation by distance in habitat occupancy found out in one fern species.
► Mating system influences colonization ability of empty habitats in ferns.