Contribution to the bryoflora of Vietnam, VI. On the liverwort flora of Vu Quang Nature Reserve

Abstract

Within the framework of ASEAN-ARBC Biodiversity Program the hitherto unknown bryophyte flora of Vu Quang Nature Reserve in north central Vietnam was studied by the authors together with Prof. Benito C. Tan. From the lower vegetational belts 41 liverwort taxa were distinguished, of which Cheilolejeunea streimannii and Cololejeunea vuquangensis are new to science, 8 taxa are new to the whole Indochina or to Asia, while further 4 are new to the bryoflora of Vietnam. An analysis of distribution patterns shows the relative high proportion of endemics and the dominancy of Southeast Asian and of Indomalesian elements in the hepatic flora. Further investigations are needed to reveal the characters of the bryoflora in the montane forest belts at higher altitudes.