ARS | Publication request: The bryophytes of the Departments of Narino and Putumayo, Columbia: II. Hepatics and hornworts

Submitted to: Bryologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 24, 2007
Publication Date: August 15, 2007
Citation: Ramirez, P., Whittemore, A.T., Churchill, S.P. 2007. The bryophytes of the Departments of Norina and Putumayo, Columbia: II. Hepatics and hornworts. The Bryologist. 111:363-549.

Interpretive Summary: This contribution is part of an inventory of the basic biodiversity of part of the Andes of southern Colombia. It deals with the liverworts and hornworts, two groups of plants that are poorly known in this area, although they are very diverse in the region and are useful as markers for ecological variation, and for assessing the impact of different management practices. Significant extensions in the known geographical range for many liverwort and hornwort species are documented: two species are reported from Colombia for the first time, and 69 new state records within Colombia. This work will facilitate study on the ecological role of these poorly-understood plants, and allow them to be used in land management and conservation work in this sensitive area.

Technical Abstract: This contribution is part of an inventory of the basic biodiversity of part of the Andes of southern Colombia. It deals with two bryophyte groups, the liverworts and hornworts, which are two groups of plants that are poorly known in this area, although they are very diverse in the region and are useful as markers for ecological variation, and for assessing the impact of different management practices. Significant range extensions in tropical American liverworts and hornworts are documented: two species are reported from Colombia for the first time, and 69 new state records within Colombia. This work will facilitate study on the ecological role of these poorly-understood plants, and allow them to be used in land management and conservation work in this sensitive area.