Welcome to Nordic Bryological
Society (NBS)
Our society is a meeting place for all those who are
fascinated by the discreet charm of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and
hornworts). In the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
you can find about 1200 bryophyte species, which is more than five percent of
the total number of known species worldwide. Bryophytes are abundant, and often
dominant, in a wide array of nature types like mires, boreal forests,
calcareous grasslands, mountain slopes, arctic heaths and stream beds. To enjoy
the world of bryophytes you may need to bend your knees and curve your back,
and, perhaps look through a magnifying glass. But if you make this effort you
will find an astonishing diversity of life forms with great beauty.
The primary objective of NBS is to stimulate contacts
among Nordic bryologists, both professionals and amateurs. Membership is open also for bryologists residing outside the
Nordic region.
- NBS arranges annual excursions,
primarily within the Nordic region. These excursions make it possible for
our members to meet and to explore regional bryophyte floras. Note that
you do not need to be an expert to join our excursions - if you are a
novice you will get help from more experienced participants.
- NBS encourages all branches of
bryological research. The society has also organized scientific workshops
and conferences in order to promote research.
- The society is together with
the Dutch bryological and lichenological society responsible for the
issuing of a scientific journal, Lindbergia. The
journal is named after a famous Swedish-Finnish 19.th century bryologist, Sextus Otto Lindberg (1835-1889). Lindbergia
publishes original research from any field of bryology. Members get
discounted subscription fees.
- NBS has published Illustrated Flora of Nordic
Mosses by Elsa Nyholm and Illustrated flora of Nordic
Liverworts and Hornworts by Kell Damsholt. These floras
contain keys for determination and accurate descriptions of bryophytes
occurring in the Nordic region (including Svalbard).
- NBS is also responsible for
mapping the geographic distribution of Nordic and Baltic bryophytes. The
maps are presented in three volumes Preliminary
distribution maps of bryophytes in Northwestern Europe (I-III).
These booklets are distributed by the Swedish organization Mossornas Vänner.
Bryophytes are neglected as compared to vascular
plants. However, many aspects of the bryophyte life style make them interesting
objects for amateur plant studies as well as scientific investigations.
We invite you to challenge the world of bryophytes as
a member of the Nordic Bryological Society.
Web-master: Gerhard Kristensson
The page was last updated 2011-06-01