Cryptogamic Botany

The Cryptogamic Botany Section studies the biodiversity and systematics (classification and relationships) of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), lichens and diatoms. Mosses and liverworts derive their energy from the sun; they are green photosynthetic land plants. Lichens are fungi in a symbiotic relationship with a photosynthetic alga, and diatoms are microscopic photosynthetic aquatic algae with a silica (glass-like) shell. All these groups are important in ecosystems. Mosses, liverworts and lichens are important in nutrient and water cycling and some lichens are important contributors of nitrogen. Diatoms are primary producers, on which other organisms depend, and are also key indicators of water quality.

Current research focuses on the systematics of mosses, liverworts and lichens based on external appearance (morphology) and molecular (DNA) data, and morphological systematics and community ecology of diatoms.