Meeting report
It is two decades since the BBS last held a meeting in France: the Spring Meeting based in Douarnenez, Brittany in March 1993 (Bates, 1994; Bates & Hodgetts, 1995). Although Brittany is well-known for its rich flora of Atlantic bryophytes, neighbouring Lower Normandy (Basse-Normandie) has less of a reputation for oceanic species (Lecointe, 1981), but has been little-studied in recent years. The exception is the Cherbourg peninsula (the Cotentin) which most closely resembles Brittany in its climate, geology and bryophytes. The rest of Lower Normandy divides into two main areas, the south-western bocage on acidic geology, much wooded and mainly pastoral, and the eastern limestone districts extending from the north coast into the Caen plain and beyond, an area that is predominantly arable. The whole region comprises three départements, Calvados, Manche and Orne and is one that I have visited frequently and bryologised in at low intensity for over twenty years. The meeting was based at Clécy, southern Calvados, a picturesque village in the cliff-girt Orne valley.
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