Fri, May 25, 2007 page2

• Liverworts add to nation's color

  HIDDEN TREASURE Taiwan is a world leader in terms of the diversity and density of its bryophytes, among the simplest of land-dwelling plants, a research institute report says

  • STAFF WRITER
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  Mosses and liverworts are everywhere in Taiwan, adding color and interest to both the most mundane and the most extreme of habitats.

  A survey of the nation's flora over two years, conducted by a research team at the Council of Agriculture's Endemic Species Research Institute, has revealed that the country is home to a wide variety of moss and liverwort species, with more than 1,500 different species identified.

  Some of the nation's species are rare globally, while others are found in isolated pockets in only a few regions, a researcher said yesterday.

  Yang Chia-tung (楊嘉棟) said the institute launched a six-year moss and liverwort species survey project in 2005 and that the first phase of the research had recently been completed.

  Over the past two years, Yang said, the research team has collected more than 3,000 moss and liverwort specimens. An analysis of those samples reveals that Taiwan has more than 1,500 moss and liverwort species, comparable to the number documented in Japan, which is famous for its flora conservation efforts, he said.

  An especially encouraging finding is that Taiwan is home to 300 moss and liverwort species listed as rare, Yang said, adding that 150 of them are only found in Taiwan.

  Since Taiwan's land area is only a quarter of that of Japan, Yang said, Taiwan is a world leader in terms of moss and liverwort diversity and density.

  Mosses and liverworts are classified as bryophytes. They are usually green and small and are among the simplest of land-dwelling plants. Only a few species are aquatic.

  Bryophytes lack some of the complex structures seen in other types of plants. For example, they do not produce flowers or seeds and most have no internal means for transporting water or nutrients. Most are confined to damp, sheltered areas.

  Bryophytes have "an important and subtle ecological role, both in water-retention and the stabilization of mobile surfaces, such as landslips, scree slopes and sand dunes," Yang said.

  Examination of any handful of moss will also reveal another important ecological role. These simplest of plants provide shelter and humidity for a remarkable diversity of tiny invertebrates, Yang said, adding that this constituted an integral part of the food chain in many important habitats.

  Among the rare moss species found in Taiwan is the Riccio carpos, Yang said. In most areas around the world, this strain can now only grow in greenhouses with attentive care. The species is found in the wetlands of Puli Township (埔里), Nantou County, where water rice is grown.

  An even more precious liverwort species is Takaki, which flourishes on the northern peak of Yushan at an elevation of more than 3,000m. Takaki is considered a "living fossil" because it has existed for tens of millions of years. The species can now only be found in a few isolated pockets across the globe at high altitudes, Yang said.

  Another rare liverwort species found in certain mountainous areas is Lejeuneaceae, which usually grows on tree leaves, he said.

  With its abundance in moss and liverwort species, Taiwan has emerged as a "hot spot" for the study and appreciation of bryophytes, Yang said.

  A botanical garden in Missouri sent research fellows to Taiwan last year to collect bryophyte specimens. They returned to the US with more than 400 moss and liverwort specimens for display at their exhibition hall.

  "Many nature science museums in Japan have also sent personnel to Taiwan to collect moss and liverwort specimens, and they have often been amazed by Taiwan's biodiversity," Yang said.

  However, Taiwanese are unaware of this unusual variety of species, Yang said.

  Industrial development, air and water pollution, as well as global warming are all threatening the survival of many moss and liverwort species, he said.

  Yang said the Council of Agriculture was planning to review its Red Book of threatened wildlife species next year, including certain rare moss and liverwort species.
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