Bryophytes are a diverse and distinct group of primitive plants, with about 25,000 species distributed the world over, making in the second largest group of land plants. They are considered as ‘amphibians of plant kingdom’ owing to their presence to aquatic and other moist habitats. Bryophytes are characterized by the absence of vascular tissues and having a unique life as Buxbaumia. Though considered as “Lilliputains of plant kingdom”, Bryophytes have achieved the greatest gametophytic diversity. The group includes three distinct lineages viz. liverwots, hornwots and mosses.
The present study provides the first hand consolidated account of Bryophytes of North Konkan, which includes detailed illustration, taxonomic account, ecology and phytogeographical consideration of 100 species of Bryophytes, belonging to 37 genera distributed over 24 families.
The North Konkan is characterized by Sandy splits intruding into mud flats and wider creeks close to the sea and by low coastal range separated by longitudinal valleys away from the coast, moreover, with the Thalghat and Bhorghat gaps in the Sahyadric, the North Konkan is actively linked with the vast real western gateway of India. Floristic study of Bryphytes has received little attention in India in general and North Konkan Coast in particular, through, this groups forms the largest group of land plants in term of species, not much attention has been paid of Bryophytes of North Konkan except the work of Dabhade (1966), Menon (1992), Palav (1994) and Patil (1996).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR B.L. Chaudhary
Dr. B.L. Chaudhary M.Sc., Ph.D., F.B.S. is Professor of Botany in M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur. He has 29 years of teaching and research experience. Hew is author of 20 books. He has published 40 research articles in National and International journals. He has been member of Board of Studies, Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan; M.D.S. University, Ajmar; J.N.V. University, Jodhpur and Rajasthan University, Jaipur. He is a recipient of Environment Award of Govt. of Rajasthan (1991). He was member of Rajasthan Hindi Granth Academy, Jaipur (1993-1998) and Chairman Botany section from 2001 till the date. He is member of several academic and professional beodies of the state of Rajasthan and life member of Indian Science Congress Association and Indian Botanical Society. Dr. Chaudhary has been N.S.S. Coordinator, Dean Student Welfare, Chairman University Sports Board and Cultural Coordinator, M.L. Sukhadia University. At present he is member of Board of Management and Chairman Faculty of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur. He has guided 15 students for Ph.D. degree. He is also Counsellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi. Presently he is working as Dean, University College of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR T.P. Sharma
Dr. T.P. Sharma, Research Associate in CSIR Project entitled “Bryophyte Flora of Konkan Coastâ€, Bryology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University College of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur (Raj.) obtained his doctorate degree on “Epiphytic mosses of South East Rajasthan and Gujarat under the supervision of Professor B.L. Chaudhary. For the last more than six years, Dr. Sharma has been actively engaged in the field survey and documentation of Bryophyte flora in general and Bryidae in particular of India. He has been regularly visiting the area, viz., Rajasthan, Gujarat and Konkan Coast for the study of the Diversity of Bryophytes. Dr. Sharma has published ten research papers in National and International Journals.
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