What have we achieved so far...

Published the first edition of the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes

 

 

During 1990-1995, ECCB mainly worked with the first edition of the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes. As soon as this book was published, the work of collecting more information on threatened species started. From about 1997 the committee has worked to update the Red Data Book.

 

 

 

 

Published the first list of hot spots in Europe

ECCB has published one of the first lists of hot spots (especially rich localities) of any plant group in Europe. It identifies 272 sites of importance around Europe. These were also included as a Bryophyte Site Register for Europe including Macronesia, with site accounts by country, in the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes published in 1995.

 

Collaborated with IUCN in the publication of a revised European Red List

 

 

ECCB played a major role in the publication of a new, revised Red List of bryophytes in Europe - A miniature world in decline: European Red List of mosses, liverworts and hornworts (IUCN, 2019). Many bryologists contributed their data and expertise in the Red List assessment of nearly 1800 species from across Europe. Download here. 

 

 

 

 

 

Established a network of bryologists around Europe

ECCB has established and maintained an important link between bryologists involved in conservation around Europe through the contact net. This network has 54 members of the 49 countries of  Europe.

 

Cooperation with other organisation

ECCB has been active in encouraging conservation organisations and authorities to con­sider the needs of bryophytes (and other cryptogams) and are now an accepted part of most conservation forums. ECCB is represented on the steering committee of Planta Europa, is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Bryophyte Specialist Group, and is represented at the Council of Europe’s Bern Convention Plant Specialists’ meetings. ECCB was also represented at a meeting at Kew Garden (Wakehurst) where a strategy for ex situ conservation of British (and European) bryophytes was discussed. In addition, ECCB has played an important role when the North American counterpart was established and we are represented on their board as observers.