UPDATED CHECKLIST AND RED LIST OF HUNGARIAN BRYOPHYTES

TLDR

The last Hungarian bryophyte checklist (2004) identified 27 previously unknown species, including 2 liverworts and 25 mosses. The study aims to revise the conservation status of Hungarian bryophytes and produce an updated red list. The updated checklist lists 659 taxa, with 26.2 % threatened (CR 3 %, EN 13.7 %, VU 9.5 %) and 17.3 % near threatened, a higher proportion of liverworts in threatened and data‑deficient categories, and only 34.9 % non‑threatened, highlighting significant conservation concerns.

Abstract

Since the publication (2004) of the last checklist of Hungarian bryoflora 27 previously unknown bryophytes (2 liverworts and 25 mosses) were recognised or discovered in the country. The recent checklist consists of 659 taxa (2 hornworts, 146 liverworts, 511 mosses). The work on the expanded list has given an opportunity to revise the conservation status of our bryoflora, resulting in an updated red list. According to the new red list presented here, 26.2% of the Hungarian bryoflora are threatened, marked by categories CR (3%), EN (13.7%), VU (9.5%), and 17.3% are near threatened (NT). In all of these categories, except CR, the percentage of liverworts (including hornworts) is higher than that of mosses. The ratio of data-deficient taxa is also high (21.1%) and a higher percentage of liverwort taxa falls in these categories, than of mosses. This reflects an unsatisfactory situation, that is, our shortcomings in field bryology. In addition, only 34.9% of the bryoflora can be regarded as non-threatened, but 20.6% of the full list requires proper attention in the future. It is also worrisome that only 15.5% of the liverworts is non-threatened; this percentage is higher in mosses (40.5%). Our list below also notes the indicator species, which by their mere presence denote the greater level of conservation value of the habitat, where they occur.