Liverworts and Hornworts of Rwanda

Klappentext Abc taxa

The small East African country of Rwanda encompasses a wide variety of landscapes and natural habitats, and has a correspondingly rich biodiversity, including a large and diverse bryophyte flora. Although the literature covering Rwandan bryophytes is quite plentiful, it is extremely scattered and often difficult to access, and because of this it has been difficult for local botanists in particular to study the bryoflora. The main purpose of this identification guide was, therefore, to bring together information on Rwanda's liverworts and hornworts and present it in an accessible form in order to facilitate further bryological studies in the region. It is the first full treatment of the liverworts and hornworts of any tropical African country, and the first to be illustrated in colour.

The guide is based on the author's collections and personal observations made during more than 70 field trips to Rwanda since 1984, and supplemented with previously published information. A classification of liverworts and hornworts is given, methods of bryophyte collecting are described, and the key features used in the identification are provided with dichotomous keys to the families, genera and species. Individual accounts of all 262 species of liverworts and hornworts that are currently known from Rwanda are illustrated with both habit and microscope photographs.

An immense amount of work has gone into this guide, and the author is to be congratulated for drawing together such a wealth of information into such an attractive and useful book. The keys to families, genera and species are excellent and, together with the species descriptions and photographs, should lead to the right species. This book is a significant milestone in the study of African bryology and will surely prove to be an invaluable aid to identification of liverworts and hornworts in Rwanda and surrounding countries, and be essential reading for visiting tourists, amateur naturalists, students and professional bryologists alike.