Format: ORAL

Beln Albertos1, Elena Ruiz2, Patxi Heras3, Ricardo Garilleti1 Marta Infante3

1 Universitat de València. Spain 2 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Spain 3 Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Álava. Spain

The conservation of bryophytes in Spain is at a considerable standstill. Despite notable initiatives in the field of regulation, such as the elaboration of the standard list, the improvement of some regional protection catalogues and the process initiated to extend national catalogues, the number of protected species is insufficient and centred on species protected at the European level. Improvements in the legislative field do not necessarily mean an improvement in the protection of bryophyte species because the legally established management mechanisms are not developed. The decentralisation of the Spanish state, while improving the distribution of funds, limits the control mechanisms over the autonomous communities. The level of non-compliance, generally high in our administrations, is aggravated by the fact that it is a small group of species that does not justify the administrations investment in specialised training for their technicians. The improvement of the administrative situation will hopefully lead to an improvement in investment in research and monitoring projects, as the current situation means that there is a lack of demand for such studies. Generating a need in the administration may increase the number of research projects, both requested and granted, on bryophyte conservation and stimulate interest in training staff in charge of the management of natural areas and protected species. A review of the current situation is presented, with its achievements and shortcomings, and the most relevant scientific, technical, and administrative needs are analysed.