California Scientist Talks Bryophytes at Bukidnon State University

A visiting professor from the California Academy of Sciences shared his expertise with Bukidnon State University  (BukSU) students during a lecture on July 2, 2025, focusing on the ecological importance of mosses and liverworts, or bryophytes.

The lecture is part of a continuing partnership that brings international research perspectives to local classrooms.

James R. Shevock, a botany research associate at the California Academy of Sciences and a visiting professor at BukSU, delivered the lecture titled “Tiny Taxa Doing Big Things: Mosses and Worts – Nature’s Complex Ecosystem Servants” at the university’s Audio-Visual Center.

Students from the Natural Sciences Department and the College of Nursing attended the session, which addressed the roles of bryophytes in ecosystem functions such as water retention, soil support, and habitat creation.

“It’s a great, fascinating field. You never stop learning. I’m still learning,” said Shevock.

A student who attended the session said, “It’s eye-opening. These often-overlooked plants have important roles and a big impact.”

The lecture is part of BukSU’s ongoing efforts to promote science education and environmental research, aligned with its internationalization agenda. By establishing linkages with global institutions and inviting international experts, the university seeks to enhance academic exchange and expose students to current scientific practices and global perspectives in biodiversity and conservation. (Bret Malone Caesar S. Calipes, IU intern)