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Bryophytes

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Bryology in the Gaoligong Mountains


Bryophytes are the first land plants that include three distinct lineages: mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. China is projected to have one of the largest and diverse bryofloras of any country. We estimate that over 20 percent of the bryophytes described throughout the world reside in China. Yunnan Province, based on its geographic position, mountainous terrain, and climate is likely to have the richest bryoflora among the provinces in China.

The Gaoligongshan region is anticipated to contain over 50 percent of the bryophytes reported for Yunnan Province. Therefore, this small region is exceptionally important for its bryophyte diversity and the need for long-term conservation.

Discoveries

  • One genus new to science (Shevockia) and several species new to China and to Yunnan Province.
  • Total specimens collected (2002-2006): 6,000 Map the collections
  • Total species collected (2002-2006): Only 10 percent of the total specimens collected have been identified to the species level!

Who is involved?

  • Jim Shevock, senior bryologist and research associate in the Botany Department at the California Academy of Sciences (CAS) .
  • David Long, senior bryologist at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • Li Zhang, bryologist at Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen, China.
  • Fan Xuezhong, Lisu field assistant.
  • Mona Bourell, bryologist and associate in the Department of Botany at CAS.

Where we collected

Map the bryophytes surveyed in each county by clicking on the links below:

2002: Nujiang Prefecture, Gongshan county
2003: Baoshan Prefecture, Tengchong, Baoshan, and Longling counties
2004: Nujiang Prefecture, Fugong and Lushui counties
2005: Baoshan Prefecture, Tengchong, Baoshan and Longling counties
2006: Nujiang Prefecture, Gongshan county. Baoshan Prefecture: Tengchong County .


Photo:Dong Lin

Bryologist, Jim Shevock collecting bryophtes along the Pula River in Gongshan county.


Photo: Barb Andrews

Collecting in the field

Photo: David Long

The moss Hydrocryphaea wardii, reported from Gongshan County, is new for China. It occurs along the Nu Jiang within 1-2 meters of the high water mark. Map it!


Photo:Dong Lin


David Long hunts for mosses and liverworts along a steep ridge at Chukuai in Gongshan County.

Photo:Jim Shevock

Bryophytes living in riparian habitats like in this stream in Tengchong county, are uncommon and they must survive extreme conditions of long, dry periods and are seasonally submerged in fast-moving water.





Photo: Jim Shevock

A spring gushing from the hillside into a river in Tengchong County is a great place to collect bryophytes. The clear, clean water is ideal habitat for aquatic liverworts and mosses.





Photo: Jim Shevock

Local indigenous people such as the Lisu provide field staff with indepth knowledge about the region and the the organisms surveyed. Fan Xuezhong assisted the bryology field teams in the fall and spring expeditions in 2004.