Bryophytes provide many direct benefits to ecosystems, yet they are often overlooked due to their small size, less familiar taxonomy, and lesser extent of public awareness. Most plant conservation efforts thus far have focused on vascular plants but recent efforts in Europe and North America are working to bring more attention to bryophytes and the importance of their conservation.
For more information on the importance of bryophytes in ecosystems and the threats posed to bryophytes by changing climate see our recent review: Impact of changing climate on bryophyte contributions to terrestrial water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles
We, in the Slate Plant Ecology Lab, are working to better understand how the physiology of bryophytes influences their ecological roles and distrubutions. Results from this work will be used to develop evidence-based conservation strategies.
Learn more about how you can contribute to bryophyte conservation by visiting the Bryophyte Conservation Alliance website.