Mj. Brown et al., CONSERVATION AND RESERVATION OF NONVASCULAR PLANTS IN TASMANIA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LICHENS, Biodiversity and conservation, 3(3), 1994, pp. 263-278
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.