Bryophyte systematics, phytodiversity, phytosociology and ecology

The 23 papers of this Nova Hedwigia Beiheft 138 span a broad range of topics in Systematics, phytodiversity, phytosociology and ecology of Bryophytes refl ecting the still continuing importance of Bryology. In the Systematic part (8 contributions), a new genus, Kuerschneria, and four new species are described as new to science. Two papers include molecular analyses (genera Oxystegus and Palustriella), one a morphometric analysis of the genus Gymnostomiella, and fi ve papers deal with classical morpho-anatomical systematic treatments (moss genus Forsstroemia and liverwort genera, Ceratolejeunea and Lejeunea). The Phytodiversity part (9 contributions) presents an impressive example for the recent ongoing worldwide survey on the diversity of bryophytes, ranging from Europe to South-West Asia, Macaronesia (Selvagens Islands), the Himalayan region, southern South America and to Île Amsterdam in the South Indian Ocean. These are contributions to different countries and regions (Greece, Montenegro, Turkey, Bhutan, Chile, Sino-Himalayan region), and to the oceanic islands Selvagens and Île Amsterdam. The Phytosociology and Ecology part (5 papers) gives an impression of the phytosociological and ecological work in the Tropics (2 contributions, neotropical trunk-epiphytes), two concern vegetation units in Europe and one the ecology of genus Porella in Madeira. The volume is completed with a contribution on asexual reproduction (propagula types) in pleurocarpous mosses. The papers have been written by colleagues, former scholars and friends of Professor Dr. Harald Kürschner, to honour his distinguished scientifi c and academic career and his outstanding contributions to the bryology of South-West Asia, the tropical rain forests and to Geobotany.