The Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland - 2nd Edition

Hardback  1024 pp, 317 diags  ISBN 0521816408      £120.00

Softback  1024 pp, 317 diags  ISBN 0521546729      £60.00

This book describes and illustrates in detail the 760 species of mosses currently known to occur in the British Isles and incorporates the most up-to-date information available on classification and nomenclature, together with recent synonyms. The species descriptions provide information on frequency, ecology, geographical relationships and distribution, including information on protected species and those species at risk. For many species there are footnotes to aid identification. In addition to the species descriptions there are descriptions of families and genera and also introductory information on conservation, collection, preservation and examination of material, together with advice on using the keys. An artificial key to genera provides the only workable comprehensive key published in the English language. This second edition incorporates the very considerable advances in our knowledge of mosses made in the last quarter of the twentieth century and will provide a unique resource for all concerned with these fascinating organisms.

Contents

Preface to the first edition page ix
Acknowledgements x
Preface to the second edition xi
Second edition acknowledgements xii

Introduction 1
Nomenclature 1
Taxonomic categories 2
Frequency and distribution 2
Illustrations 3
Literature cited 4
Conservation 4
Collection and preservation of material 4
Examination of material 5
Cutting sections 5
Measurements 7
Using the keys 7

Abbreviations 9

Conspectus of classification 10

Artificial key to the genera of British and Irish mosses 15

Division Bryophyta 41
Class 1 Sphagnopsida 43
Class 2 Andreaeopsida 103
Class 3 Polytrichopsida 118
Class 4 Bryopsida 143
Diphysciideae 143
Dicranideae 144
Funariideae 494
Bryideae 513

Geographical relationships of British and Irish mosses 936

Red List of Mosses 938

British and Irish vice-counties 941

English names for British and Irish mosses 945

Glossary 965
Bibliography 983
Index