National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) under the Ministry of Environment (MOE) published a ‘Field Guide to Bryophytes in Korea’ that includes 302 species of native moss in Korea.

* Bryophyte: Bryophyte is used as a collective term for mosses, hornworts and liverworts that have adjusted to life ashore. It plays a key role in enhancing biodiversity.

The field guide contains 1,080 color photos of bryophytes to help readers distinguish mosses from other plants. Three photos and one photomicrograph make a set of photos for each species.

In the field guide, not only easily-observed mosses such as Weissia controversa Hedw, Physcomitrium and Funaria, but also rare species including Buxbaumia, Encalyptales and Ptilium cristacatrensis are included.

The use of bryophytes, widely used as an indicator species, has increased as they are used as materials for alternative fuel, natural products and genetic engineering abroad.

In Korea, however, bryophytes are mostly used in primary industries as wrapping material or horticulture plant.

An official from NIBR pointed out that lack of primary data such as an illustrated guide book is one of the reasons for limited scope of research and use of native bryophytes. He expected that the Field Guide to Byrophytes in Korea, the first illustrated book of native byrophytes, will help raise awareness on the plants and expand the scope of use to academic, commercial and cultural areas.

NIBR will continue to carry out research on native byrophytes in Korea. By doing so, it will find ways to turn species with high industrialization value into resources.