A Tiny Bit of Biodiversity It’s been a long road for UNESCO getting the Cape Horn Biospher
A Tiny Bit of BiodiversityIt’s been a long road for UNESCO getting the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve up and running at the southern tip of South America. Despite containing rocky beaches, moorland, tundra, high-altitude zones, and the most southerly forests, a perceived lack of biodiversity in the area hindered efforts to conserve the land.All that changed when a bryophyte survey was undertaken after scientists talked to the local Yaghan elders. It was discovered that nearly 5% of the world’s bryophyte biodiversity was contained in the area, making it a bryophyte hot spot and a moss and lichen lovers dream.Not only is this area rich in moss and lichen, but those plants also have a vital function in the ecosystem. The area contains some of the cleanest water to be found anywhere in the world, due almost entirely to the magnitude of bryophytes in the region. In addition, the moss and lichen create ecological niches for insects and other small organisms.To raise awareness for this new found biodiversity, an education program called Ecotourism with a Hand Lens is being offered. Want to explore the delicate and stunning world of moss? They will help you navigate the species and you can see for yourself the beauty of the area.Further reading on the diversity of the bryophytes:http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/070020Further reading on the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve: http://chile.unt.edu/our-approach/cape-horn-biosphere-reservehttps://untpress.unt.edu/catalog/3493Picture Credit: Peter Gorman https://www.flickr.com/photos/52421717@N00/-Colter -- source link
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