Antarctic bryophyte research—current state and future directions

Botany is one of the oldest sciences done south parallel 60 °S, although few professional botanists have dedicated themselves to investigating Antarctic bryoflora. After publications liverwort and moss floras in 2000 2008, respectively, new species were described. Currently, bryoflora comprises 28 116 species. Furthermore, bryology has entered a phase characterized by use molecular tools, particular DNA sequencing. Although studies bryophytes focused exclusively on mosses, data (fingerprinting and/or sequences) already been published for 36 % In this paper we review current state bryological research, focusing conservation, discuss future questions light global challenges.