Format: ORAL

D. Christine Cargill (1), Josephine Milne (2)

1 Australian National Herbarium. Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (a joint venture between Parks Australia and CSIRO) Canberra. Australia 2 Honorary Associate, National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, South Yarra. Australia

Bryophytes that occur in the Australian Mediterranean biome have been the subject of many studies: regional checklists, taxonomic revisions, ecological studies of biocrust species and flora surveys of various locations across the biome. However, no cohesive study of the bryophytes which occur there has ever been attempted. We are presenting our observations and studies of targeted groups of bryophytes which are particularly diverse and/or particularly adapted to this biome as a first step to address this broader knowledge gap. Complex thalloid liverworts are well suited to this habitat type and the genus Riccia is the largest and most diversified group. South Africa and Australia both have over 50 species, half of the known diversity for the genus. Other families that have been successful in this biome include the Aytoniaceae, comprised of cosmopolitan species such as Reboulia, Plagiochasma and Asterella. The highly diverse genus Fossombronia has also developed adaptations to survive in extreme conditions, allowing it to thrive in Mediterranean conditions. However, it is the discovery of elusive and rare members of the Sphaerocarpales that has opened up the habitat of salt marshes, rarely visited by bryologists leading to the discovery and hitherto unknown diversity and range for these taxa. Many moss taxa are also well adapted to the extremes of this area, in particular tiny mosses such as Phascum, Stonea and Phascopsis, which thrive in biocrusts. We present the varied ways in which these bryophytes successfully survive in the harsh conditions in which they grow. While studies are continuing, progress is slow, and due to the decline in the number of active Australian bryologists, conservation of rare, threatened, or vulnerable species is well behind that for other plant groups. We will conclude by summarising the conservation efforts that are currently being undertaken in Australia in the Mediterranean biome.