Cryptogams encompass fungi, algae and plants without seeds, including ferns and bryophtyes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts).
Individually often small, but ecologically important, cryptogams are very diverse in Scotland.
Cryptogams encompass fungi, algae, and plants without seeds, including ferns and bryophytes.
Scotland is a European hotspot for cryptogam diversity, with c. 60% and 40% of European bryophyte and lichen species, including globally-rare assemblages in oceanic habitats such as temperate rainforest and liverwort heath. We link our discovery science with conservation, by targeting taxonomic problems that weaken policy effectiveness, including the identification of ecologically important or priority groups and threatened habitats. Our biology of speciation in diatoms provides an accurate taxonomy and foundation for the molecular detection of environmental indicator species.
Staff: Dr. Neil Bell, Dr Nathan Chrismas, Dr Rebecca Yahr