The Hornwort and Liverwort Atlas of Romania

THE HORNWORTS AND LIVERWORTS THREATENED IN ROMANIAThe history of bryophyte conservation research in RomaniaThe first scientific work in which the issue of bryophyte conservation is tackled was published in1953, when Prof. Traian Ştefureac proposed the conservation of some rare bryophyte species (Sphagnumwulfianum, S. balticum, Paludella squarrosa, Helodium blandowii etc.) (Ştefureac 1953:46-55; Plămadă1977b:112). Following the bryogeographical study of the Bucegi Massif, Prof. Traian Ştefureac proposedfor conservation a list of 19 bryophytes, out of which five were liverwort species (Riccia sorocarpa,Bucegia romanica, Moerckia hibernica, Anastrepta orcadensis and Barbilophozia hatcheri) (Ştefureac1963b:86-90).In 1977, the Commission for the Nature Monuments Protection accepted the undertaking of anecological study on the endemic, relic and rare taxa of the Romanian Flora. In the study regarding theconservation of the bryological genetic pool, Plămadă E. proposed four liverworts for protection,Moerckia hibernica, Marsupella brevissima, Cephaloziella elegans and Odontoschisma sphagni,mentioning that this list could be completed with four additional liverwort species, Anastreptaorcadensis, Bucegia romanica, Harpanthus flotovianus and Mylia taylorii (Plămadă 1977b:113,115;Ştefureac 1986f:189). Out of these, only for Bucegia romanica was gathered a complete documentationfor its pronouncement as nature monument (Täuber 1980:121).A list of 65 rare bryophytes from Romania was drawn up by Mohan (1994), among which 31 areliverworts: Anastrepta orcadensis, Anastrophyllum hellerianum, A. michauxii, Barbilophozia hatcheri, B.kunzeana, Bucegia romanica, Calypogeia integristipula, C. muelleriana, C. neesiana, Cephaloziacatenulata, Cololejeunea calcarea, C. rossettiana, Fossombronia wondraczekii, Geocalyx graveolens,Harpathus flotovianus, H. scutatus, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia wenzelii, Marchantia paleacea,Marsupella brevissima, Moerckia hibernica, Mylia taylorii, Odontoschisma sphagni, Peltolepis guadrata,Tritomaria polita, Scapania calcicola, S. compacta, S. helvetica, S. undulata, Trichocolea tomentella.Marchantia paleacea was not confirmed as being present in Romania and were therefore excluded fromthe list of liverworts from Romania (Ştefănuţ 2004d:38).In 2001, 15 liverworts were included in the list of species of European conservation interest,namely: Asterella saccata (V), Bazzania flaccida (NT), Bucegia romanica (R), Cepalozia lacinulata (V),Cephaloziella elachista (K), C. elegans (K), Frullania fragilifolia (NT), Jungermannia subulata (R),Lophozia ascendens (R), Mannia triandra (R), Porella baueri (T), Riccia frostii (R), Scapaniabrevicaulis (R), Scapania helvetica (NT) and Scapania verrucosa (R) (NT – not threatened species; R –rare species; V – vulnerable species; K – species with unknown protection status; T – not threatenedspecies, but with uncertain taxonomic status) (Sabovljević & al. 2001:77-83).Priority speciesFollowing the assessment of the bryophytes listed in the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes -ECCB 1995, 15 liverworts that are present in Romania were identified as endangered at European level.Liverworts species from Romania that are endangered at European level1. Asterella saccata (Wahlenb.) A. Evans - V2. Bucegia romanica Radian - R3. Cephalozia lacinulata J.B. Jack ex Spruce - V4. Cephaloziella elachista (J.B. Jack ex Gottsche & Rabenh.) Schiffn. - K5. Cephaloziella elegans (Heeg) Schiffn. – K6. *Cephaloziella massalongi (Spruce) Müll. Frib. - R7. *Frullania parvistipula Steph. – E8. *Haplomitrium hookeri (Sm.) Nees – R9. Jungermannia subulata A. Evans - R10. Lophozia ascendens (Warnst.) R.M. Schust. - R11. Mannia triandra (Scop.) Grolle - R12. *Pallavicinia lyellii (Hook.) Carruth. – V13. Riccia frostii Austin - R14. Scapania brevicaulis Taylor - K15. Scapania verrucosa Heeg – R399