History,
Biodiversity, and Conservation of South Pacific Mosses
Dennis
P. Wall
Introduction. Bryophytes are a group of three disparate lineages
(mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) that are thought to be phylogenetically
basal among extant land plants. The group contains much species diversity
and is particularly suited for studies of macroevolutionary, population
genetic, and ecological processes. However, a major limitation in
the use of bryophytes as study systems for evolutionary and ecological
processes has been the lack of basic taxonomic knowledge of many groups
from many regions, particularly the paleotropics. To achieve this knowledge
before it is lost to human impact it is necessary to implement extensive
collection expeditions geared towards inventorying and understanding biodiversity
as well as to establish interrelations with local botanists to encourage
training in modern approaches to bryophyte (and more generally, all plants)
systematics. The need for cooperative, modern studies that cross national
and disciplinary boundaries is paramount
In this proposal (a significant portion of my Ph.D. dissertation research),
I describe a transect through the South Pacific from French Polynesia
to Malaysia, including both island and continental land masses where bryophytes
are poorly known and severely threatened. I begin by posing several
areas along the South Pacific transect with the greatest potential for
international collaboration and whose biodiversity is of primary concern.
I then explain how research and interaction with local scientists in these
areas will allow me to achieve three fundamental goals:
(1) assess the current extent (biogeography) and history (patterns
and processes of diversification reconstructed using phylogenetic techniques)
of bryophyte biodiversity in the South Pacific;
(2) assess the damage anthropogenic influences have had on native
forests and their support of bryophytes;
(3) join forces with other scientists concerned with the extent, history
and conservation of South Pacific biodiversity to encourage cooperative
international relations and training through collaborative research projects.
Table 1: Locations, countries, contacts, and
intended duration of research at each point along the transect are presented.
Selection of study regions-Exploration
and collection.
Tropical
Bryogeography and its importance
Initial
Data
Goals