This volume contains 38 contributions representing a broad spread of new advances in the biology of cryptogams, mainly lichens and mosses. Topics covered range over taxonomy & distribution, chemistry, structure & function, nutrients & air-pollution, stress & stress response, ecophysiology and ecology. This collection of papers is dedicated to Dr. L. Kappen, University of Kiel, Germany, one of the leading scientists studying the ecophysiology of lichens and mosses, to celebrate his 65th birthday and and on the occasion of his retirement. The papers in this volume cover a wide range of topics from ecosystems of almost all continents including Antarctica, the focus of much of Professor Kappen's work.