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This paper describes the design and build of a pilot Natural Sciences Collections Digitisation Dashboard (CDD). The CDD will become a key service for the Distributed System of Scientific Collections Research Infrastructure (DiSSCo) and aims to improve the discoverability of natural science collections (NSCs) held in European institutions, both digitised and undigitised. Furthermore, it will serve as a dynamic visual assessment tool for strategic decision-making, including the prioritisation of digitisation. The CDD pilot includes high-level information from nine European NSCs, covering the number of objects, taxonomic scope, storage type, chronostratigraphy (Earth Science Collections), geographical region and level of detail in digitisation. This information is structured through a standardised Collection Classification Scheme, which uses high-level categorisation to describe physical natural science collections.

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: diatom algae Cyclostephanos invisitatus, Cyclotella meduanae, and Stephanodiscus lacustris, mycorrhizal fungi Alessioporus ichnusanus and Amanita mairei, saprotrophic fungi Diaporthe oncostoma, Stropharia albonitens and Pseudomassaria chondrospora, lichenised fungus Acrocordia subglobosa, stonewort Chara connivens, mosses Buxbaumia viridis, Tortella fasciculata and Tortula protobryoides, monocots Epipactis pontica Gymnadenia frivaldii, and Orchis italica and dicots Callitriche brutia, Callitriche platycarpa and Epilobium nutans are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions.

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: saprotrophic fungus Geastrum morganii, Guignardia istriaca and Hypoxylon howeanum, mycorrhizal fungus Amanita friabilis and Suillus americanus, xanthophyte Vaucheria frigida, stonewort Chara hispida, liverwort Calypogeia integristipula and Ricciocarpus natans, moss Campylopus introflexus, Dicranum transsylvanicum, Tortella pseudofragilis and Trematodon ambiguus, fern Ophioglossum vulgatum subsp. vulgatum, monocots Epipactis exilis, Epipactis purpurata and Epipogium aphyllum and dicots Callitriche cophocarpa, Cornus sanguinea subsp. hungarica and Viscum album subsp. austriacum are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions.

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: red algae Lemanea fucina and Paralemanea annulata, parasitic fungus Anthracoidea pratensis, saprotrophic fungi Cyathus olla, Massaria campestris, and Xylaria sicula, stonewort Chara canescens, liverworts Gymnomitrion commutatum and Porella baueri, moss Acaulon triquetrum, monocots Anacamptis laxiflora, Cephalanthera damasonium, and Himantoglossum robertianum and dicot Jacobaea othonnae are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions.

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: red algae Lemanea rigida and Paralemanea torulosa, mycorrhizal fungi Amanita simulans and Terfezia pseudoleptoderma, parasitic fungus Microbotryum vinosum, saprotrophic fungus Sarcoscypha jurana, stonewort Chara tenuispina, mosses Brachytheciastrum collinum and Meesia longiseta, monocots Dactylorhiza romana and Neotinea maculata and dicots Adenophora liliifolia, Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Tanacetum corymbosum subsp. cinereum are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions.

The new extinction risk assessments of the mosses of Serbia have been completed. Based on the available data, 27.18% of Serbian moss flora (174 species) is under threat (status 2024). Nearly 20% (129 species) of Serbian moss flora is considered to be Data Deficient (DD) and 5.16% (33 species) Near Threatened (NT). These findings clearly indicate the urgent need for field investigation and species biology research in order to define the major threats and adequate conservation measures.

The new extinction risk assessments of hornwort and liverwort species of Serbia have been completed. Based on the available data, 40% of Serbian liverwort flora is under threat (status 2024). Additionally, 11% of Serbian liverwort flora is considered to be Data Deficient (DD) 11% Near Threatened (NT). These findings clearly indicate the urgent need for field investigation and species biology research in order to define the major threats and adequate conservation measures.

The rare moss species Hennediella heimii (Pottiaceae) was established in in vitro culture. Various treatments were tested to achieve axenical cultures. The most effective sterilising procedure was NaDCC treatment of sporophytes, keeping the spore viability and giving high disposal of xenic cohabiting organisms. The effects of plant growth regulators were studied regarding new shoot formation, i.e. bud formation on the protonemal filaments and protonemal patch size. Low concentrations of cytokinin and medium concentrations of auxin are shown to increase protonemal patch size and shoot production. Multiplication of H. heimii was observed to occur spontaneously on BCD medium type, but to achieve better and rapid biomass production and development it is suggested to grow it on a BCD medium enriched with auxin and cytokinin combined

It has been widely documented that the complex structure of forest ecosystems supports considerable bryophyte species and functional diversity. In this study, we assessed the diversity, distribution and ecological and phytogeographical features of bryophytes across a gradient of temperate forest types on Mt. Papuk. This is the largest and highest mountain in the lowland, Pannonian part of Croatia, with high geological diversity and various temperate forests covering 95% of the mountain. According to the predominant tree species (oak vs. beech), geological bedrock (calcareous vs. siliceous) and soil reaction (alkaline vs. acidic), 21 study plots were classified into four distinct forest types. In all, 184 bryophyte species (35 liverworts and 149 mosses) were recorded. Although the forest types investigated did not differ significantly with respect to species richness, each was characterized by a considerable number of diagnostic bryophyte species. According to our results, one of the main ecological factors determining the variability of the forest bryophyte composition was geological bedrock and the associated soil reaction. Basiphilous forests developed on carbonate bedrock harbored more thermophilous and nitrophilous bryophytes and were characterized by southern-temperate and Mediterranean–Atlantic biogeographic elements. In contrast, acidophilous forests growing on silicate bedrock were characterized by wide-boreal and boreo-arctic–montane elements, i.e., bryophytes indicating cooler habitats and nitrogen-deficient soils. Based on the results, we hypothesized that the main latitudinal biogeographic distinction between southern and northern biogeographic elements is driven more by geological substrate than by the main tree species in forest communities. The present study confirmed previous findings that bryophytes are good and specific habitat indicators and show associations with different forest types, which can help to understand the complexity, ecological microconditions and biogeographic characteristics of forest communities.

The moss Entosthodon hungaricus (Boros) Loeske is an European endemic species typical of dry and saline soils extending from the Iberian Peninsula to Aral-Caspian steppes, similarly to some other xerothermic bryophytes. However, the distribution range is fragmented and localities are quite scattered and the species is considered as rare and vulnerable because of its ephemeral characteristics and specialized ecology. With the aim to develop an active protection plan for this species, the ex situ conservation requirements of E. hungaricus were developed. The axenic culture in in vitro conditions were established, and the optimal growth parameters were adjusted to achieve fully developed gametophytes ready to be reintroduced to its native range and other potentially native areas, where this species was once reported but has not been collected in recent times, suggesting its local extinction (i.e. some areas in Vojvodina, N. Serbia). Starting materials were derived from recent herbarium specimens and from fresh materials collected from Hungarian populations. Several means for sterilization of stating material and growing nutritive media were assayed in different regimes of light and temperature. Here we describe the conditions to achieve full plant development and for its micropropagation. Such materials are adequate for ex situ conservation purposes and for experimental introductions in native and potentially native areas. The first axenical culture of E. hungaricus was successfully established, and the first in vitro micropropagation of this rare and endangered species was achieved. Our study contributes to the conservation biology as well as for the potential use of this moss species in biotechnological research.