Microbryum starckeanum
Microbryum starckeanum (Hedw.) R.K. Zander
Pottia starckeana (Hedw.) Müll.Hal.3
Pottiaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(iii)c(ii)].
Morphology and biology. Annual acrocarpous moss, growing as individual plants or forming small dark green tufts. Stems erect, 1–2 mm high. Upper leaves larger, ovate-lanceolate, 2.0–4.5 times as long as wide, margin entire and thin, recurved from leaf base to the point. Sporophytes ellipsoid, about 1.0–1.7 mm long and 0.3 mm wide, with short blunt lid, on 1.0–4.4 mm long stalk. Bisexual.
Habitats and populations. Plants grow on exposed calcareous soils in lax and dry herb communities. Some fluctuations in population density could be observed, related to changes in habitat moisture and vegetation dynamics with years.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Valley of Struma River (Southern – near the town of Kulata), Pirin Mts (Southern – between Vinogradi and Harsovo villages).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, R Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania), C Europe, Crete, Canary Islands, Madeira, N Africa, W Asia. Sub-Mediterranean species.
Threats. Changes in management of agricultural land, human settlement extensions, soil contamination, overgrowth by trees and bushes, thickening of herb layer. The species is characterized by a slow growth rate.
Conservation measures taken. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Long-term study, assessment of trends in habitat changes, and prognosis for population development.
References. Stefanoff & Petrov 1962.
Author: Anna Ganeva
