Protection of bryophytes in the Murmansk Region (Russia)

Abstract

This paper reports on some basic trends in the conservation of bryophytes in the Murmansk Region (Russia). They are: (1) the recognition of rare bryophytes and the publication of the Regional Red Data Book (the first edition, including nine liverworts and 21 mosses was published in 1979, the second edition in 1990, including 108 species of bryophytes); (2) the investigation of the bryoflora in existing nature reserves, the majority of these territories being unexplored; (3) the description and organization of new nature reserves, where many rare and interesting species of bryophytes are concentrated. The difficulties and peculiarities in the protection of bryophytes in the Murmansk Region are also discussed.