Threatened Bryophytes in Bulgaria: Current Knowledge, Distribution Patterns, Threats, and Conservation Activities

ABSTRACT

After the publishing of the Red list of Bulgarian bryophytes in 2006 (listed 228 threatened bryophytes), new data were collected about the distribution of 57 threatened bryophyte species estimated so far as Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), and Near Threatened (NT). The high habitat diversity in higher mountains supports higher species diversity. These areas harbor a larger number of threatened species, as well. Recent studies contributed additional data on bryophyte diversity in Northeast Bulgaria, Black Sea coast, Danubian Plain, Western Balkan Range. Threatened bryophytes are analyzed with respect to distribution type, substrate, habitat preferences and life history in an attempt to reveal the reasons for their rarity. New chorological data, together with assessment of ecological condition of bryophyte habitats and threats for these species allow further re-evaluation of their threat status according IUCN criteria.

Keywords:

• threatened bryophytes
• Bulgaria
• bryophyte flora