CONSERVATION AND RESERVATION OF NONVASCULAR PLANTS IN TASMANIA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LICHENS

Conservation management of the Tasmanian flora is now focusing on non- vascular plants. Major problems include the low level of information o n the composition of the flora and the low number of competent special ists available to deal with the plants. Collation of information from literature and from collections in herbaria is required to establish e xactly which data are available and their reliability. An environmenta l domain analysis covering all ecosystems would indicate which environ ments were under-represented or absent from current reserves and where needs for conservation lie. Within practical time-frames, this proces s is probably the best method of capturing unknown components of the f lora whilst also catering for widespread species and those closely ass ociated with particular environments. It also incorporates regional va riability. Minor habitats, which are often floristically rich, and ver y rare species are best dealt with on an individual basis. Basic resea rch into taxonomy and ecology is paramount. Reservation and conservati on management must be based on well-established and maintained databas es which are in turn based on a coherent taxonomy and sound biogeograp hical information. It is only by pursuing an active research programme that the necessary accurate information can be obtained and the succe ss of the management procedures can be gauged.