Marline Lovanomenjanahary, Ranaivoson Ny Aina Sedera, Smith Rhian, Ah-Peng Claudine, Hedderson Terry A J, Wilding Nicholas, Antonelli Alexandre
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK.
Kew Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
Ann Bot. 2025 Mar 10. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcaf035.
Bryophytes are a group of plant that are ecologically important, diverse and include many undescribed species. Setting like Madagascar is well known for its charismatic species, less conspicuous groups, such as bryophytes, are virtually unknown to the public and the scientific community. Bryophyte diversity is a highly overlooked component of Madagascar's rich biodiversity, underlined by geographical sampling biases, sparse representation, and an evident research and conservation deficit as compared to more charismatic groups. With a significant bryophytes research gap and conservation, Madagascar can serve as model for addressing knowledge gaps and talking the global issue of bryophytes blindness. Here we first summarise historical research and current knowledge on the diversity and distribution of Malagasy bryophytes; address the issue of 'bryophyte blindness'; and propose future directions.
We give reason to think that to advance research and ensure the effective conservation of the bryophytes, it is crucial to build robust foundations for their study and appreciation. Investments on herbarium collections paired with leveraging technology and resources for identification, including an image bank and DNA barcodes, will facilitate taxonomic revisions, evolutionary biology and ecological research. Addressing geographical imbalances and fostering comprehensive research to elevate the scientific and public appreciation of bryophytes are key to advancing the integration of bryophytes into national, regional and global conservation initiatives. Key prospects also include research on ecosystems with high and/or endemic bryophyte diversity, facilitating the integration of bryophytes into conservation programs. Training the new generation of students and professionals on bryophytes is an imperative underlying all these initiatives. This is highly important to foster more equitable research and conservation in countries like Madagascar and help tackle bryophyte blindness in science and society, alongside with an urgently needed financial support for professional training to advance bryophytes research.
Overall, bryophytes need urgent research and conservation investments. Researchers, organisations, governments, and universities should collaborate to raise scientific and public awareness of their importance. Addressing key questions about bryophyte diversity, threats, and conservation requires a holistic, collaborative, and inclusive approach to bryophyte research.
苔藓植物是一类具有重要生态意义且种类多样的植物，其中包含许多未被描述的物种。像马达加斯加这样的地方以其具有超凡魅力的物种而闻名，但像苔藓植物这样不太引人注目的类群，公众和科学界几乎一无所知。苔藓植物的多样性是马达加斯加丰富生物多样性中一个被严重忽视的组成部分，这体现在地理采样偏差、代表性不足以及与更具魅力的类群相比明显的研究和保护赤字上。鉴于苔藓植物研究存在重大差距且保护不力，马达加斯加可作为解决知识空白和应对全球苔藓植物认知缺失问题的典范。在此，我们首先总结关于马达加斯加苔藓植物多样性和分布的历史研究及当前知识；探讨“苔藓植物认知缺失”问题；并提出未来方向。
我们有理由认为，为推动研究并确保苔藓植物得到有效保护，为其研究和认知奠定坚实基础至关重要。对植物标本馆收藏进行投资，同时利用技术和资源进行鉴定，包括图像库和DNA条形码，将有助于分类学修订、进化生物学和生态学研究。解决地理不平衡问题并促进全面研究，以提高科学界和公众对苔藓植物的认知，是推动将苔藓植物纳入国家、区域和全球保护倡议的关键。关键前景还包括对苔藓植物多样性高和/或特有苔藓植物的生态系统进行研究，促进将苔藓植物纳入保护计划。对新一代学生和专业人员进行苔藓植物培训是所有这些举措的必要前提。这对于在马达加斯加等国家促进更公平的研究和保护，并帮助解决科学界和社会对苔藓植物的认知缺失问题非常重要，同时迫切需要为专业培训提供资金支持以推进苔藓植物研究。
总体而言，苔藓植物急需研究和保护投资。研究人员、组织、政府和大学应合作提高科学界和公众对其重要性的认识。解决关于苔藓植物多样性、威胁和保护的关键问题需要对苔藓植物研究采取全面、协作和包容的方法。
