Sociology of communities invaded by Orthodontium lineare (Bryophyta) in Europe (excl. the British Isles)

Available sociological data about an adventive moss in Europe, Orthodontium lineare, are summarized. The communities from which O. lineare was described are rather heterogeneous and can be divided into four groups. No other species was present in all source datasets; most common taxa were Cladonia spp., Pohlia nutans and Tetraphis pellucida. Both natural and man influenced ecosystems are invaded. Differences in climate, succession status and substrate are suggested as possible reasons for this differentiation. Use of such data for the study of the O. lineare invasion is discussed.