As of December 2023, the known bryoflora of Madagascar comprises 1215 accepted names: 1045 species and 170 infraspecific taxa (Table 2). Based on the most recent checklist of bryophytes, recent inventories, and literature the moss flora consists of 60 families, 189 genera, and 767 species and infraspecific taxa. Liverworts comprise 32 families, 95 genera, and 443 species and infraspecific taxa. Hornworts are represented by only two families, four genera, and five species and, as in much of the world, are the most poorly documented group. Species richness is dominated by mosses, reflecting the global difference in diversity between the three groups. Bryophytes represent 9% of the land plant flora (i.e. bryophytes + tracheophytes) of Madagascar. The bryoflora of Madagascar displays a substantial level of endemism at the species level with 33.4% of mosses and 17.4% of liverworts restricted to the island.
Madagascar is a global biodiversity hotspot, with some of the highest levels of diversity and endemism on the planet. Its high mountain massifs are remarkable for having a high degree of regional endemism, often localized to an individual massif. Madagascar’s exceptional biodiversity has motivated many studies; however, they have not been evenly distributed and many groups of organisms remain poorly studied. Bryophytes are among the least documented of the Malagasy biodiversity, with less than thirty percent of their likely total diversity described. Preliminary data show that bryophytes are extremely diverse, abundant and ecologically important on this island, with significant roles in processes such as water retention, nutrient cycling and erosion. Here I conduct detailed analyses of bryophyte communities along elevational gradients in Madagascar. The objectives of this project can be clustered in three points: 1) study a “hidden” but ecologically important group of land plants, (2) assess and understand bryophyte community structure and its effect on ecosystem functioning and (3) use bryophytes as model organism to assess the impacts of climate changes and land use on natural ecosystems. This investigation constitutes a significant biodiversity resource that will be used in a range of contexts such as to better understand tropical mountain ecosystems (function and health), better predict the influence of climate change on the diversity and distribution of ecologically important species, and begin leveraging this diverse group of organisms as a basis for setting conservation priorities for particular sites or vegetation systems.
3. Disjunct distribution of bryophytes in the Neotropics and Africa
Disjunct distributions of plants between distant regions provide valuable insights into historical biogeographic connections and dispersal mechanisms. This project highlights a collections-based research project aimed at characterizing the disjunct distribution of bryophytes between the Neotropics and Africa. Despite previous attention to Neotropical-African disjunctions, the drivers of these patterns remain poorly understood. This study focuses on resolving taxonomic uncertainties, synthesizing distribution data, and documenting morphological differentiation among intercontinental populations over time. By leveraging bryophytes—a group with common disjunct distributions—It aims to elucidate biogeographic connections and shed light on factors influencing these intriguing patterns. This research contributes to a better understanding of plant dispersal and historical biogeography.
Tropical Africa and Madagascar is home to a unique and rich biodiversity and a diverse set of ecosystems. The rich biota of these regions face a disproportionate risk due to the dual threats of habitat loss and climate change. Air pollution contributes to climate change, increasing warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Not only, it is a serious threat to the diversity of life, but also has a serious impact on human health. However, relative to other ecosystems and habitats in the global North, very little is known about the impacts of air pollution and climate change on biodiversity in the global South. This in part arises from a lack of baseline data and suitable model systems and a dearth of research designed and led by scholars based in these areas.
