GYPSIFEROUS OUTCROPS IN SE SPAIN, REFUGES OF RARE, VULNERABLE AND ENDANGERED BRYOPHYTES AND LICHENS

After studying the bryophyte and lichen flora of the gypsiferous outcr ops of SE Spain, it is becoming clear that these sites are important a s a refuge for rare, vulnerable and endangered species. Twenty one bry ophyte taxa and 17 lichen taxa, about 20% of the total bryophyte and l ichen flora, are rare or endemic species, which live exclusively or al most exclusively on gypsiferous substrates. It is proposed that 14 are as should be protected since all of these species grow there. Finally the different impacts that affect these outcrops in the SE of Spain ar e analysed.