Moss conservation in México

Abstract

A WELL DEVELOPED MOSS FLORA IS FOUND IN MEXICO. IN THE NEOTROPICS IT IS ONE OF FIVE COUNTRIES WITH MORE THAN 900 REDORDED SPECIES, INCLUDING ABOUT 98 ENDEMIC TAXA MUCH OF ITS TERRITORY, HOWEVER, IS YET TO BE EXPLORED THOROUGHLY AND MANY RANGE EXTENSIONS AND TAXONOMIC NOVELTIES MANY BE EXPECTED WHEN MORE IS KNOWN ABOUT MOSS DISTRIBUTION. HABITAT DESTRUCTION IS THE MAJOR THREAT TO LOCAL MOSSES, ESPECIEALLY TO ENDEMICS AND SPECIES WITH NARROW RANGES; THIS IS PARTICULARY TRUE IN AREAS OF SOUTHERN MEXICO WHERE FORESTS ARE UNDER CONTINUOUS HUMAN INTERFERENCE, BUT IN NORTHERN LOCALITIES AND IN THE ALPINE AREAS THE MOSS FLORA IS ALSO UNDER SERVERE PRESSURE. ONLY RECENTLY HAVE PRELIMINARY STEPS BEEN TAKEN TO IDENTIFY THE BRYOPHYTES THAT REQUIRE PROTECTION BUT THUS FAR THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ADEQUATE LEGISLATION TO INSURE PERMANENCE OF HABITATS.