Atlas of British and Irish Bryophytes (2 volume set)

Bryophytes are a species-rich group in Britain and Ireland and one which includes numerous species which are rare in mainland Europe. They are attractive plants and some of them play a major ecological role in the environment.

This two-volume publication replaces the earlier, three-volume Atlas (1991–94), updating it with the results of 20 years' further fieldwork by members of the British Bryological Society. This has resulted in the discovery of 59 new species and increased the number of records on which the maps are based on 770,000 to 2.83 million. The hectare (10 × 10 km square) maps reveal dramatic changes in the distribution of some species since 1990. Each map is accompanied by a detailed text covering habitat, reproductive biology, significant range changes, taxonomic or recording problems and world distribution.

The altitudinal distribution of most species in Britain is illustrated by a novel diagram, and the species accounts are accompanied by numerous habitat photographs. The introductory chapters describe the history of the BBS recording scheme, highlighting the effect of technological changes since 1990, and map environmental factors relevant to the interpretation of the maps. A new analysis of records identifies recent changes in response to drivers such as air pollution, land-use and climate change.

In his Foreword, Professor John Birks describes these volumes as "a truly magnificent achievement" and "a major contribution not only to British and Irish botanical literature but also to international botanical literature".

"[...] This atlas is a must-have for anyone with an interest in bryophytes and contains much to make it a worthwhile purchase for anyone to whom species distributions in general are of interest. It is an example of how atlases should be produced, going beyond simply presenting maps, by interpreting the data collected in an accessible and interesting way, with a high level of production and design throughout. It is an apt testament to the work put in by many BBS members throughout Britain and Ireland, mostly voluntary, over many years, to collect the extensive dataset underpinning this atlas, and will help to further promote and demystify this often-neglected group of plants, as well as encouraging more people to become involved in their recording and conservation." – Rory Hodd, Irish Naturalists’ Journal