British Bryological Society

The British Bryological Society is an academic society dedicated to bryology, which encourages the study of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts.[2] It publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Bryology.[3]

British Bryological Society

Formation	1896[1]
Type	Learned society
Headquarters	London
Location	United Kingdom
Official language	English
Website	http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/

Objectives

The Society has the objectives[4]:

• Promoting and advancing all aspects of the study of mosses, liverworts and hornworts throughout the world but especially within the British Isles
• Encouraging communication about bryophytes through organising conferences, lectures, field meetings and exhibitions as well as publishing the results of scientific study
• Promoting the conservation of bryophytes

Activities

The Society sponsors and promotes a range of activities to achieve its objectives:

• Publishes two scientific publications about bryology. The Journal of Bryology (previously Transactions of the British Bryological Society from 1947 to 1971) is a scientific journal publishing research about ecology, taxonomic revisions and descriptions of new species of bryophytes. Field Bryology (published from 1963 onwards) focuses on all aspects of field bryology and includes accounts of Society activities
• The British Bryological Society website provides information and links about bryophytes as well as society information
• Maintains a library available to members at Treborth Botanic Garden, Bangor University (previously held at Preston Montford Field Centre)
• Organises two major annual meetings, in spring and autumn. Both include a series of field visits. The Society's Annual General Meeting is held a part of the autumn meeting.
• Provides training in bryophyte identification through a programme of workshops and field meetings
• Promotes awareness of bryophytes, their natural habitats and conservation
• Facilitates recording and identification of bryophytes through the activities of members, including expert identification referees
• Offers support for bryological research through the Journal of Bryology and small grants

History

The Society developed from the Moss Exchange Club founded in 1896 by Coslett Herbert Waddell who was Secretary of the club until 1903. Its main aim was to provide communication between those interested in bryophytes so they could build up collections of correctly identified specimens. The first members has expert knowledge and interest in bryology but relied on employment from other areas to make a living. The Club did not hold meetings although did produce printed reports and compiled records of bryophyte distributions by vice-county. Members focused on the British Isles although several were interested in bryophytes of other countries. A proposal for a formal 'Foreign Section' in 1901 was unsucessful. In 1903 William Ingham became Secretary.[5]

In 1923 the new name British Bryological Society was adopted.

References

1. "British Bryological Society". NHBS. Archived from the original on 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
2. "British Bryological Society UK Catalogue of specimens". National Museum of Wales. Archived from the original on 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
3. "Journal of Bryology". Ingenta Connect. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
4. "British Bryological Society". British Bryological Society. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
5. Richards, P W (1983). [The British Bryological Society The British Bryological Society 1923-1983] Check |url= value (help). The British Bryological Society. ISBN 0-9507639-1-8. Retrieved 17 August 2020.