On the western slope of California's Sierra Nevada, bryophytes were studied from the foothills (summers dry; winters mild) to the alpine zone (summers short; winters with snow cover).  Plots of 25 m² were chosen from 380 to 3,578 meters above sea level. Within each of the 253 plots, bryophyte species and their abundance were recorded along with microsite wetness, shadiness, incline, and the type of substrate.  Data was used to assess changes in species richness and abundance across elevations and microhabitat characteristics.  

Plots of 25 m² were chosen from 380 to 3578 m a.s.l. Within each of 253 plots, bryophyte species and their abundance were recorded along with microsite wetness, shadiness, incline, and substrate type. In addition to recording bryophyte occupancy of microhabitats, we also recorded whether each microhabitat category was present or absent in the plot, regardless of whether it was occupied by any bryophytes. This was our reference site data on microhabitat availability.