Liverworts, Mosses and Hornworts of Southwest Asia (Marchantiophyta, Bryophyta, Anthocerotophyta)

Book excerpt: This bryophyte flora of Southwest Asia is the first comprehensive, structured synthesis of the current knowledge available on the liverworts, mosses and hornworts of this region. The area covers Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sinai Peninsula, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen (incl. Socotra Island), summarized to a great extent as 'Asia 5' in the 'Index Muscorum'. In total, 1193 taxa (229 liverworts, 959 mosses, 5 hornworts) and nearly 2000 names and synonyms were treated in the dichotomous keys presented, including annotations to critical, doubtful or erroneously recorded species. 14 taxa represent new country/regional records and are listed together with their collecting data in a separate paragraph. The book includes all bryophytes known to date within the large and geomorphologically varied area. Many of the species are important initial colonizers of bare rocks, crusts and soil surfaces of steppes and deserts of this region and therefore forerunners in vascular plant colonization and succession. Because they serve as indicators of ecological disturbances and air quality, their knowledge is of fundamental importance for understanding phytodiversity and ecosystem evolution. This flora provides users with an up to date tool for at least a preliminary identification of any bryophyte in the area and may stimulate and promote greater interest in this often neglected or overlooked plant group. The flora is recommended to all botanists and ecologists, interested in bryophyte flora and vegetation, biodiversity, and nature conservation.