The conservation of rare and endangered species like Orthotrichum rogeri Brid. requires a precise knowledge of their ecology and distribution. However, the scarcity of financial resources and the inadequacy of chorological data difficult the design of efficient conservation policies. In this context, species distribution models (SDM) can provide useful information to apply conservation measures over large areas like Auvergne region, France (26,000 km²). Unfortunately, the use of SDM to assist the introduction of conservation measures is uncommon in bryology. O. rogeri is a rare and poorly known moss at the national scale which is well represented in Auvergne. The European Union through the “Habitats and Species Directive” made its protection compulsory. The aim of this work is to use SDM to improve our current knowledge on O. rogeri distribution in order to provide guidance for designing conservation measures. To do so, we first designed a survey to gather presence/absence data and then fit logistic regression model. Model accuracy was assessed using previous knowledge on species occurrences (which have not been used in SDM). The output of the SDM leads us to an improved understanding of the chorology of O. rogeri. Our results showed that this species is clearly too scarcely represented in the Natura 2000 regional network and pointed to the need of targeted surveys. Natura 2000 sites are either too severely fragmented and/or too small to allow efficient conservation of O. rogeri and the suite of related remarkable epiphytes. We suggest that slight modifications of current outline of Natura 2000 sites to allow the integration of several known populations. O. rogeri shows some paradoxical habitat requirements, in some areas it is strongly linked to anthropogenic habitats while in others it is linked to ancient woodlands without anthropogenic activities. Disturbance regime is identified as of prime relevance for the conservation of appropriate habitats. Due to the contrasted requirements of the species diverging conservation strategies could be adopted. Besides, taking into account the various scenarios offers the possibility to anticipate environmental changes caused by global warming and its likely effect for the successful implementation of conservation measures.

Bryophyte diaspore banks remain poorly known, especially those from Atlantic forests. Here we describe the composition and characteristics of diaspore banks in Atlantic beech forests (Fagus sylvatica) (Navarra, Northern Spain) and compare them with above-ground vegetation. Soil samples from nine beech forests were cultivated for eight-nine months and germinating species were identified; we also collected above-ground bryophytes in the same beech forests. The diaspore bank has 40 species, and there is strong positive correlation between the floristic richness in the diaspore bank and in the corresponding above-ground vegetation. The specific composition of the two ecological compartments is very different; only Fissidens taxifolius and Polytrichum formosum are always frequent. Some species in diaspore bank are very uncommon in above-ground vegetation (Pohlia andalusica, Trichodon cylindricus); we postulate that some species are dispersed over a long distance. Colonist species are the most frequent in the diaspore bank, while perennials dominate in above-ground vegetation. This contrast is reduced in acidophytic beech forests, mainly due to the high number of colonist liverworts in the above-ground vegetation.

A taxonomic and nomenclatural history of Dicranoweisia fastigiata Paris is outlined. The species is taxonomically assessed and it is considered to be conspecific with Hymenoloma antarcticum (Müll.Hal.) Ochyra. Dicranum Hedw. sect. Isocarpus Mitt. is lectotypified with Dicranum antarcticum (Müll.Hal.) Mitt, and this sectional name is reduced to synonymy with Hymenoloma Dusén.

The distribution and systematic position of Kindbergia Ochyra in China is reevaluated. The phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear marker (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and chloroplastic markers (rpl16, trnG, and trnL-F) show that the alleged species of “Kindbergia” in China and Himalayas form a maximally supported clade (1.00 PP and 100 MPBS), which is closely related to the clade of Brachythecium Schimp., Eurhynchiadelphus Ignatov et Huttunen, and Myuroclada Besch., whereas the other Kindbergia specimens from Africa, America, Europe, Japan and the Southern Hemisphere form a monophyletic group, which is sister to Scleropodium Schimp. The specimens of Chinese species of “Kindbergia” are found, both molecularly and morphologically, to be identical with the Himalayan K. dumosa (Mitt.) Ignatov et Huttunen, and differ from Kindbergia specimens from other regions in the world in the shape of proximal branch leaves, operculum shape and capsule orientation. A new monotypic genus Pseudokindbergia M. Li, Y.F. Wang, Ignatov et B.C. Tan, is established to accommodate only the generitype P. dumosa (Mitt.) M. Li, Y.F. Wang, Ignatov et B.C. Tan, comb. nov. (≡ Hypnum dumosum Mitt.), and Bryhnia serricuspis (Mitt.) Y.F. Wang et R.L. Hu (≡ Eurhynchium serricuspis Mitt.) is considered synonymous with it.

Neosharpiella aztecorum H.Rob. et Delgad., a species originally described from Mexico, and subsequently found in South Africa, is recorded for the first time for South America from Argentina. Photomicrography of spore morphology, capsule, and leaves observed by LM and SEM are here presented. A distribution map of the species in the Latin America is also included.

Plagiochasma Lehm. & Lindenb. is a widely distributed genus mainly in semi-arid areas. Two species were formerly recognized for southern South America, P. ruprestre (G. Forst.) Steph. and P. argentinicum Bischl. In the present contribution, we give account for the presence of P. intermedium Lindenb. & Gottsche in Southern South America, extending the previously known distribution range in a large extent. In order to distinguish P. intermedium from the remaining species of South America, a key is elaborated. Photomicrography and a distribution map of P. intermedium are also presented.

The current geographical distribution of the rheophytic moss Bucklandiella lamprocarpa (Müll.Hal.) Bednarek-Ochyra et Ochyra in the central and northern Andean countries in South America is reviewed and mapped. The specimens reported from Peru as Racomitrium bartramii (Roiv.) H.Rob. are taxonomically assessed and some details of their structure are illustrated. As a result of this study it was determined that its morphological features fall well within the range of variability of Bucklandiella lamprocarpa. The global geographical distribution of B. lamprocarpa is outlined and the species is confirmed to be an austral cool-adapted moss which deeply penetrates into the tropics, occurring at high elevations in central and northern South America and in East and Central Africa.