University of the Punjab, Lahore

Institute of Botany

Phycology

Practical Assignment on

Ecology of Bryophytes and their importance.

Submitted To

Prof. Dr. Ghazala Yasmeen Butt

Submitted By

Arshia Bano Qasmi

Roll No: 17

BS Botany 6th semester.

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Contents
Table of figures ..........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Ecology of Bryophytes and their importance ................................................................................. 4

Bryophytes: ................................................................................................................................. 5
Definition: ............................................................................................................................... 5
Size and distribution: .................................................................................................................. 5
Classification of Bryophytes: ...................................................................................................... 6
Characteristics: ............................................................................................................................ 6
Ecology of bryophytes: ............................................................................................................... 8
Bryophytes on soil: ................................................................................................................. 9
Bryophytes on decomposing animal wastes; .......................................................................... 9
Bryophytes in humid, temperate or subtropical climates: ...................................................... 9
Bryophytes in Arctic and Antarctic regions: .......................................................................... 9
Epiphyllous Bryophytes:....................................................................................................... 10
Bryophytes in arid areas: ...................................................................................................... 10
Examples of Bryophytes: .......................................................................................................... 11
Liverworts ............................................................................................................................. 11
Mosses: ................................................................................................................................. 12
Hornworts: ............................................................................................................................ 12
Importance of Bryophytes: ....................................................................................................... 13
Soil Formation: ..................................................................................................................... 13
Soil Binders:.......................................................................................................................... 13
Bog Succession: .................................................................................................................... 13
Prevent soil erosion: .............................................................................................................. 13
Water holding capacity: ........................................................................................................ 13
Recycling of nutrients: .......................................................................................................... 13
Rock Builder: ........................................................................................................................ 14
Sphagnum Moss: ................................................................................................................... 14
Medicinal uses: ..................................................................................................................... 15
In research: ............................................................................................................................ 15
Packing material: .................................................................................................................. 15
Food: ..................................................................................................................................... 16

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 As Indicator plants: ............................................................................................................... 16
In seedbeds: ........................................................................................................................... 16
Peat formation: ...................................................................................................................... 17
Formation of stone: ............................................................................................................... 17
References: ................................................................................................................................ 18

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Table of Figures

Figure 1: Bryophytes....................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2: Classification of bryophytes ............................................................................................ 6
Figure 3: Marchantia ....................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 4: Epiphyllous Bryophytes. ............................................................................................... 10
Figure 5: Bryophytes in arid environment .................................................................................... 11
Figure 6: Liverworts ..................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 7:Mosses ............................................................................................................................ 12
Figure 8: Hornwort ....................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 9: Bryum. ........................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 10: Sphagnum moss........................................................................................................... 14
Figure 11: Dried moss ................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 12: Edible moss balls. ........................................................................................................ 16
Figure 13: Polytrichum. ................................................................................................................ 16
Figure 14: Dominant peat forming species of Sphagnum ............................................................ 17
Figure 15: Travertine rock ............................................................................................................ 17

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 Ecology of Bryophytes and their importance
Bryophytes:
Definition:

Bryophytes are small, non-vascular land plants that require water for reproduction. Land plants
fall into two categories: those that have special tissues to transport water and other materials,
called vascular plants; and those that do not have specialized tissues, called non-
vascular plants. Bryophytes are non-vascular, so they do not have the right types of tissues to
develop roots, stems, or leaves. (Donoghue; et al. 11 October 2021).

Figure 1: Bryophytes

Size and distribution:

The bryophytes consist of about 20,000 plant species.

Bryophytes thrive in damp, shady environments, but they can also be found in diverse and even
extreme habitats, from deserts to arctic areas. Globally there are around 11,000 moss species, 7,000
liverworts and 220 hornworts.

As they are not flowering plants, bryophytes reproduce by spores instead of seeds. (Web 1)

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Classification of Bryophytes:

Figure 2: Classification of bryophytes

(Web 3)

Characteristics:
❖ Bryophytes typically measure one to two centimeters tall.

❖ They lack tissues to provide structure and support that other land plants have, so they
cannot grow taller.

❖ Instead, bryophytes grow close together into a cushion-like covering over soil, rocks, tree
trunks, and leaves.

❖ Though they require water for hydration as well as reproduction, they are able to survive
on land because of special adaptations.

❖ Bryophytes are covered in a waxy cuticle that helps them to retain water. As water flows
through an area, it is absorbed by bryophytes.

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 ❖ Bryophytes hold on to water like a sponge, helping creatures who depend on water for
survival as well as reducing flooding in an area.

❖ The plant body is a gametophyte. They grow in areas which are in between the aquatic and
terrestrial habitats i.e. amphibious zone and hence known as amphibious plants.

❖ They have thalloid or leafy multicellular green plant body.

The plant body lacks true roots, stem or leaves.

❖ The plants are green and possess chloroplasts.

They show autotrophic mode of nutrition.

❖ Vascular tissues are completely absent.

Sexual reproduction is oogamous.

❖ Male reproductive organ is known as antheridium. It is a club shaped structure being borne by a
narrow stalk.

❖ It produces biflagellate and motile male gametes or antherozoids.

The female sex organ is known as archegonium. It is a flask shaped structure having a swollen
base and a narrow neck.

❖ Water is essential for fertilization.

(Ligrone; et al. April 2012)

Figure 3: Marchantia

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Ecology of bryophytes:

As descendants of the early land plants, bryophytes have retained the ability to adapt to a variety
of habitats and environments. They live as understory components on the ground or as epiphytes
in forests worldwide, but flourish most luxuriantly in moist warm‐temperate and tropical habitats.
Many of the liverworts and some species of moss are pioneers on newly burned ground while still
other mosses colonize bare rock surfaces where their presence accelerates the erosion of rock to
soil. The few desert dwellers rely on the condensation of dew on their surfaces to supply their
metabolic water needs. In these sites, production of sporophytes is rare and the species spread
primarily by vegetative means. (Web 1)

Mosses and liverworts are prominent in the arctic tundra on bare, dry surfaces while farther south
in the circumpolar boreal conifer forest (taiga) and its southern extensions, the northern conifer
forests, mosses constitute most of the biomass of the bogs and wet understory of the trees.

(Web 1)

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Some bryophytes are unusually tolerant of extended periods of dryness and freezing, and, upon
the return of moisture, they rapidly resume photosynthesis. The exact mechanism involved remains
controversial. (Web.2)

Bryophytes on soil:
Many bryophytes grow on soil or on the persistent remains of their own growth, as well as on
living or decomposing material of other plants. Some grow on bare rock surfaces, and several are
aquatic. The main requirements for growth appear to be a relatively stable substratum for
attachment, a medium that retains moisture for extended periods, adequate sunlight, favorable
temperature, and, for the richest luxuriance, a nearly constantly humid atmosphere. (Web.2)

Bryophytes on decomposing animal wastes;

Unusual habitats include a decomposing animal waste (many species in the moss family
Splachnaceae), somewhat shaded cavern mouths (the liverwort Cyathodium and the mosses
Mittenia and Schistostega), leaf surfaces (the moss Ephemeropsis and the liverwort genus
Metzgeria and many species of the liverwort family Lejeuneaceae), salt pans (the liverwort
Carrpos), bases of quartz pebbles (the moss Aschisma), and copper-rich substrata (the moss
Scopelophila). (Web.2)

Bryophytes in humid, temperate or subtropical climates:

In humid temperate or subtropical climates, bryophytes often grow profusely, forming deep, soft
carpets on forest floors and over rock surfaces, sheathing trunks and branches of trees and shrubs,
and festooning branches. In broad-leaved forests of temperate areas, trees and boulders often
harbor rich bryophyte stands, but it is near watercourses that bryophytes tend to reach their richest
luxuriance and diversity. (Web. 2)

Bryophytes in Arctic and Antarctic regions:

In Arctic and Antarctic regions, bryophytes, especially mosses, form extensive cover, especially
in wetlands, near watercourses, and in sites where snowmelt moisture is available for an extended
part of the growing season. There they can dominate the vegetation cover and control the
vegetation pattern and dynamics of associated plants. The same is true for alpine and subalpine
environments in which many of the same species are involved. (Web.2)

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Epiphyllous Bryophytes:
Epiphyllous or foliicolous bryophytes are those that grow on the leaves of vascular plants. Such
epiphylls are widespread, and often quite common, in the tropical areas where there are long
periods of high humidity. Two examples are the leafy liverworts Lopholejeunea
muelleriana var. australis and Cololejeunea lanciloba , both pictured growing on the leaves of
vascular rainforest plants on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. Many epiphyllous species are
strictly epiphyllous but some may also be found on other plant parts (twigs, branches, trunks) or
even non-plant substrates such as rocks. Liverworts are by far the commonest of the epiphyllous
bryophytes. Apart from bryophytes you can also find algae, cyanobacteria, lichens and fungi
growing on vascular plant leaves. The living space on the leaf surface is referred to as
the phyllosphere and from what's already been said about the variety of epiphylls to be found on
leaf surfaces, it's clear that the phyllosphere can be a complex micro-habitat. There is still much
that is unknown about the roles and interactions of epiphyllous bryophytes. (Web 5)

Figure 4: Epiphyllous Bryophytes.

Bryophytes in arid areas:

In hot, dry areas water is typically scarce, with rainfall unpredictable, and the bryophytes living
there adopt various survival strategies. One is to grow in the more protected Micro habitats –
such as at the bases of grass tussocks, on tree trunks, under boulder overhangs and in rock crevices.
(Web. 6)

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 Figure 5: Bryophytes in arid environment

Examples of Bryophytes:
The three main types of bryophytes consist of the liverworts, mosses, and hornworts, each of which
encompasses several hundred different species.

Liverworts
Liverworts (shown below) are extremely small plants characterized by flattened stems and
undifferentiated leaves, as well as single-celled rhizoids. Liverworts can be distinguished from
other bryophyte species by the presence of membrane-bound oil bodies within their cells,
compared to other species which do not contain enclosed lipid bodies.

(Konrat; et al. 2010)

Figure 6: Liverworts

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Mosses:
Mosses (shown below) are green, clumpy plants often found in moist environments out of direct
sunlight. Mosses are characterized by leaves that are only one cell wide attached to a stem that is
used for water and nutrient transportation. Mosses are able to absorb a substantial amount of water
and have historically been used for insulation, water absorption, and a source of peat.

(Konrat; et al. 2010)

Figure 7:Mosses

Hornworts:
Hornworts (shown below) are named after the characteristic long horn-like sporophyte that
develops. In contrast, the gametophyte form is a flat, green-bodied plant. Most hornworts are found
in damp environments (e.g., tropical climates), garden soils, or tree bark. (Web. 3)

Figure 8: Hornwort

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Importance of Bryophytes:
Bryophytes have great ecological importance. Mosses and lichens are the first organisms to
colonize rocks.

Soil Formation:

❖ They decompose the rock making it suitable for the growth of higher plants. The acid
secreted by lichens, death and decay of mosses helps in soil formation.

(Vanderpoorten; et al. 2009)

Soil Binders:

❖ Bryophytes grow densely so act as soil binders.

Bog Succession:

❖ Mosses play an important role in bog succession. Mosses can change the landscape from
open soil to climax forest. The thick mat formed of mosses forms suitable substratum for
germination of hydrophilic seeds due to the presence of water and humus. In the course of
time, the dead and decayed mosses and hydrophilic plants form a solid soil for mesophotic
development. (Web. 3)

Prevent soil erosion:

❖ They prevent soil erosion by reducing the impact of the falling rain.

Water holding capacity:

❖ They reduce the amount of run-off water due to their water holding capacity.

Recycling of nutrients:

❖ They help in recycling of the nutrients. (Web. 4)

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Rock Builder:

❖ They act as a rock builder. Certain mosses (Bryum) along with algae, present in calcium
bicarbonate rich shallow water or lakes form calcareous (lime) rock-like deposits around
these plants. These plants decompose bicarbonate ions resulting in the precipitation of
insoluble calcium carbonate. This mineral deposit continues to grow and extends over
several hundred square feet area.

Figure 9: Bryum.

Sphagnum Moss:

❖ The peat moss genus Sphagnum is an economically important bryophyte. The harvesting,
processing, and sale of Sphagnum peat is a multimillion-dollar industry. Peat is used
in horticulture, as an energy source (fuel), and, to a limited extent, in the extraction of
organic products, in whiskey production, and as insulation. (Web. 4)

Figure 10: Sphagnum moss.

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Medicinal uses:

❖ Sphagnum is used in surgical dressing due to its high absorptive power and some antiseptic
property for filling absorptive bandages in place of cotton for the treatment of boils and
discharging wounds
❖ Marchantia has been used to cure pulmonary tuberculosis and affliction of liver
❖ The decoction of dried sphagnum is used in the treatment of acute haemorrhage and eye
infections
❖ Peat-tar is antiseptic and used as a preservative. Sphagnol, which is a distillate of peat-tar
is used to treat skin disease.
❖ Polytrichium species has shown to dissolve stone in kidney and gall bladder.
❖ Antibiotic substances can be extracted from certain bryophytes having antibiotic
properties.

(Everet; et al. 2013)

In research:

❖ Mosses and liverworts are used in research in the field of genetics. The mechanism of sex
determination in the plant is discovered in liverworts. (Web. 4)

Packing material:

❖ Dried mosses make an excellent packing material for fragile goods like glassware, bulbs.
For trans-shipment of living material such as cuttings and seedlings as they have water
retention capacity.

Figure 11: Dried moss

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Food:

❖ Some mosses provide food for herbaceous mammals, birds and other mammals. (Web. 3)

Figure 12: Edible moss balls.

As Indicator plants:

❖ Some bryophytes grow in a specialized area and can be used as an indicator for acidity and
basicity of the soil. e.g., Polytrichum indicated the acidity of the soil, Tortella species grow
well in the soil rich in lime or other bases and occur as calcicoles. (Web. 3)

Figure 13: Polytrichum.

In seedbeds:

❖ Because of its water retention capacity, it is used in seedbeds, greenhouses, nurseries to

root cuttings. Sphagnum is also used to maintain high soil acidity required by certain
plants.

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Peat formation:

❖ Sphagnum is also known as peat moss. Peat is formed by slowing down the decaying
process. The gradual compression and carbonization of partially decomposed vegetative
matter in bogs give rise to a dark-colored substance called Peat.
❖ It is used as a fuel
❖ Lower layers of peat form coal
❖ Peat is also used in the production of ethyl alcohol, ammonium sulphate, ammonia, dye,
paraffin, tannins etc.
It improves soil texture in horticulture. (Web. 3)

Figure 14: Dominant peat forming species of Sphagnum

Formation of stone:

❖ The travertine rock deposits are extensively used as a building stone. (Web. 4)

Figure 15: Travertine rock

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References:

1. Donoghue, Philip C. J.; Harrison, C. Jill; Paps, Jordi; Schneider, Harald (11 October
2021). "The evolutionary emergence of land plants". Current Biology. 31 (19): R1281–
R1298. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.038. PMID 34637740. S2CID 238588736.
2. Everet, Ray; Eichhorn, Susan (2013). Biology of Plants. W.H.Freeman and Company
Publishers.
3. Konrat, M.; Shaw, A.J.; Renzaglia, K.S. (2010). "A special issue of Phytotaxa dedicated to
Bryophytes: The closest living relatives of early land plants". Phytotaxa. 9: 5–
10. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.9.1.3.
4. Vanderpoorten, Alain; Goffinet, Bernard (2009). Introduction to Bryophytes. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-511-54013-4.
5. Goremykin, V. V. & Hellwig, F. H. (2005). "Evidence for the most basal split in land plants
dividing bryophyte and tracheophyte lineages". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 254 (1–
2): 93–103. doi:10.1007/s00606-005-0337-1. S2CID 41403901.
6. Levetin, Estelle; McMahon, Karen (2012). Plants and Society. New York, NY: McGraw-
Hill. p. 139. ISBN 978-0-07-352422-1.

7. Shaw, A. Jonathan; Szövényi, Péter; Shaw, Blanka (March 2011). "Bryophyte diversity
and evolution: Windows into the early evolution of land plants". American Journal of
Botany. 98 (3): 352–369. doi:10.3732/ajb.1000316. PMID 21613131.
8. Smith, AJE (1982). Bryophyte Ecology. Chapman & Hall, London.
9. Web. 1: https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/biology/plant-biology/bryophytes-the-
non-vascular-plants/ecology-of-bryophytes
10. Web. 2: https://www.britannica.com/plant/bryophyte/Ecology-and-habitats
11. Web. 3: https://byjus.com/neet/classification-of-bryophytes/
12. Web. 4: https://www.britannica.com/plant/bryophyte/Importance-to-humans-and-ecology
13. Web. 5: https://www.anbg.gov.au/bryophyte/ecology-epiphyllous.html
14. Web 6: https://www.anbg.gov.au/bryophyte/ecology-
arid.html#:~:text=Arid%20area%20bryophytes%20open%20up,than%20they%20are%20
when%20moist.

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