Advancing bryophyte research and conservation: a case study on Madagascar

Bryophytes are a group of plants that are ecologically important and diverse, with many undescribed species. Madagascar is well known for its charismatic species, though less conspicuous groups, such as bryophytes, are virtually unknown to the public and the scientific community. Bryophyte diversity is a highly overlooked component of Madagascar's rich biodiversity, underlined by geographical sampling biases, sparse representation in natural history collections, and an evident research and conservation deficit compared to more charismatic groups. With significant work to do in bryophyte research and conservation, Madagascar can serve as a model for addressing knowledge gaps and tackling the global issue, which we propose calling 'bryophyte blindness'. Here we summarise historical research and current knowledge on the diversity, distribution and conservation status of Malagasy bryophytes, address the issue of bryophyte blindness and propose future directions. We recognise 1186 bryophyte species and 152 infraspecific taxa distributed among 95 families and 285 genera, with 33.4 % of mosses and 17.4 % of liverworts restricted to the island. By computing species accumulation curves, we expect substantial increases in future years.

To advance research and ensure the effective conservation of bryophytes, it is crucial to build robust foundations for their study and appreciation. Investments in herbarium collections paired with leveraging technology and resources for identification, including an image bank and DNA barcodes, will facilitate taxonomic revisions, and evolutionary and ecological research. Addressing geographical imbalances, such as through increased sampling in arid and dry regions, and fostering comprehensive research to elevate the scientific and public appreciation of bryophytes are key to advancing the integration of bryophytes into national, regional and global conservation initiatives. Key prospects include research on ecosystems with high and/or endemic bryophyte diversity, facilitating the integration of bryophytes into conservation programmes. Training a new generation of students and professionals on bryophytes is an imperative underlying all these initiatives and requires significant investment. It is crucial to fostering more equitable research and conservation in countries like Madagascar and helping to tackle bryophyte blindness in science and society.

Bryophytes need urgent research and conservation investments. Researchers, organisations, governments and universities should collaborate to raise scientific and public awareness of their importance. Addressing key questions about bryophyte diversity, threats and conservation requires a holistic, collaborative and inclusive approach to bryophyte research.