Training of MSc Jani Marka in taxonomy and ecology of bryophytes

Abstract

Mr. Marka, lecturer at Tirana university and Ph.D. student has collected over 2000 specimens throughout Albanian territory. These will be classified in collaboration with Dr. Urmi at the Institute of Systematic Botany of the University of Zürich with the goal to train J. Marka in taxonomic identification, in field and lab techniques, in the conservation and preparation of specimens for the herbarium. Special interest will be given to the characterization of the most challenging species, those that represent taxonomic difficulties, that are rare, endemic in Albania, or belong to European red list species.
By collaborating in the project of the National Inventory of Swiss Bryophytes, J. Marka will contribute to the progress of the Swiss project and get expertise in mapping the distribution of bryophytes, producing distribution maps and in standardized collection for gathering statistically relevant data. Special interest will be focused on ecological aspects, such as using bryophytes as biomonitors for air (or water) pollution.

Contact persons
In Zürich:
Dr. Edwin Urmi, Head of the bryology research group, Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zürich. Zollikerstr. 107, CH 8008 Zürich. Tel.:  +41 (0)44 634 84 41. Fax: +41 (0)44 634 84 03. E-mail: urmi@systbot.uzh.ch.
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Bachofen, Institute for Plant Biology, University of Zürich. Zollikerstr. 107, CH 8008 Zürich. Tel.: ++4144 634 82 80; ++4144 623 82 11; ++4144 634 82 04; e-mail: bachofen@botinst.uzh.ch

In Tirana:
Prof. A. Miho, Head of the Section of Botany, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences (www.fshn.edu.al), Tirana University, Albania. Tel.: + (355)4.232120; e–mail: amiho@icc-al.org