Bryophytes were a pivotal step in land plant evolution, and their significance in the regulation of ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity is becoming increasingly acknowledged. This introductory textbook assumes no prior knowledge of bryophyte biology, making it ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as amateur botanists. The authors expertly summarise the diversity of bryophytes and outline recent advances in our understanding of their evolutionary history, their ecological roles and preferences, their distribution patterns and conservation needs. The text is highly illustrated throughout, with boxed summaries of topics of current relevance in bryophyte biology, and a glossary of technical terms.

Bryophyte Biology provides an extensive overview of the hornworts, liverworts, and mosses; diverse groups of land plants that occupy a great variety of habitats throughout the world. This edition covers essential aspects of bryophyte biology, from morphology, physiological ecology and conservation, to speciation, and genomics. Revised classifications incorporate contributions from recent phylogenetic studies. Six new chapters complement fully updated chapters from the original book to provide a completely up-to-date resource. New chapters focus on the contributions of Physcomitrella to plant genomic research, population ecology of bryophytes, mechanisms of drought tolerance, a phylogenomic perspective on land plant evolution, and problems and progress of bryophyte speciation and conservation. Written by leaders in the field, this book offers an authoritative treatment of bryophyte biology, with rich citation of the current literature, suitable for advanced students and researchers.

Bryophytes were a pivotal step in land plant evolution, and their significance in the regulation of ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity is becoming increasingly acknowledged. This introductory textbook assumes no prior knowledge of bryophyte biology, making it ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as amateur botanists. The authors expertly summarise the diversity of bryophytes and outline recent advances in our understanding of their evolutionary history, their ecological roles and preferences, their distribution patterns and conservation needs. The text is highly illustrated throughout, with boxed summaries of topics of current relevance in bryophyte biology, and a glossary of technical terms.