Minister Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has welcomed the publication of the “Checklist and country status of European bryophytes – update 2020”. This is a benchmark publication, as it represents the culmination of intensive work by European bryophyte specialists over a number of years.
Bryophytes are a group of plant species that reproduce by spores rather than by flowers or seeds. The word “bryophyte” is the collective term that includes mosses and liverworts. Ireland has a rich bryophyte flora and supports nearly 48% of the total European flora.
This publication, as an Irish Wildlife Manual, presents the results of collaborative research, funded and coordinated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on the conservation status of European bryophytes. This project would not have been possible without the international cooperation and input by bryologists from across all the states and territories of Europe. Members of the European Committee for Conservation of Bryophytes and other bryologists Europe-wide contributed to this report by generously providing information.
Tables listing all 2,137 bryophyte taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) recorded in Europe, along with their distribution and Red List status by country/territory, are presented. An extensive bibliography and literature list are provided, followed by an appendix with useful references. Appendices with lists of European bryological societies, journals, floras and the country contacts of the European Committee for Conservation of Bryophytes are presented at the end of the report.
Minister Noonan congratulated the NPWS and said,
It is clear that bryophytes know no borders! It is very gratifying that scientific expertise in even the smallest of plants is being encouraged and showcased by publications such as this. I am delighted that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has provided the catalyst for this research across Europe.
Note for Editors:
The report is available to download from:
https://www.npws.ie/publications/irish-wildlife-manuals
Citation: Hodgetts, N. & Lockhart, N. (2020) Checklist and country status of European bryophytes – update 2020. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 123. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland.