Population and Conservation Status of Buxbaumia viridis (DC.) Moug. & Nestl. in Romania

Plants (Basel). 2023 Jan 19;12(3):473. doi: 10.3390/plants12030473.

Abstract

The field survey made in the last 20 years revealed that large areas of Romania's territory are still unexplored concerning moss distribution. The long-term research in natural and mature spruce forest habitats of this country shows that many sites are well protected, a status that is also confirmed by reports of Buxbaumia viridis. However, many other sites where this species was identified still lack legal protection. We also generated a potential distribution of the species based on an ensemble model, useful in guiding extensive field surveys and also management and conservation measures. In a country where the volume of wood cut by illegal logging is larger than the legal one, according to official data, it is very important that all habitats for B. viridis be included in protected areas. Our paper brings important data to aid in this goal.

Keywords: bryophytes; nature conservation; protected species; threatened species.