Author: Eva McClean
Artist: Jordan Mooney
Editor: Ayotenu Dosumu
Hidden in the shady forest undergrowth, beneath the great towering oaks lies a detail forgotten by the busyness of today. Moss–simple by nature yet bursting with flourishing life amongst its own mini-forest ecosystem. This bryophyte has been cushioning our forest floors for 450 million years, long before human footprints were around to flatten their tiny leaves. Moss is non-vascular and absorbs all it needs from its surroundings by diffusion while being anchored to the soil by root-like rhizoids. Moss’ leafy stem comprises the gametophyte, which is the haploid form, and when the moss undergoes fertilisation, a sporophyte is formed. This structure acts as tall stalks that expel spores, allowing them to take their gentle journey through the wind to their new home. Water controls the force of life through the mini green leaves, and they can’t seem to get enough of it: some moss varieties can hold up to 5000% of their dry weight. However, don’t be fooled by this overarching dependence on water–moss can stay dry and dormant for many years without even a drop of its liquid life force.
Moss is a modest member of the forest community, speaking its wishes softly under the green leafy stems above it. This plant holds a diverse ecosystem of microfauna in its mossy hands. Tardigrades (warmly known as ‘water bears’), nematodes, ciliates, bacteria, and fungi can be found roaming the tiny stems. Moss has a deep, loving relationship with the soil, influencing the microclimate by controlling temperature and humidity. Moss also has a highly diverse range of bacteria with many important functions, from nitrogen fixation to soil health maintenance and decomposition. One study found that biocrusts covered by moss in Southern China were positively affecting the soil nutrient and bacteria levels. Moss is beneficial in various habitats, from the boglands of rural Ireland to the stretch of your front lawn.
Moss is a pioneer species, meaning that it is the first to colonise new or disturbed habitats. It functions by weathering the area and then producing organic material that allows the land to be more hospitable to other species. This is especially important in the context of climate change, as more and more areas are being degraded by anthropogenic causes. Their rhizoids allow them to anchor to a wide range of surfaces, unlike roots which need deeper, richer soil. Moss is well-adapted to living in shady, moist areas, hence why we can often find their resilient little stems persevering between cracks in our concrete-laden cities. However, moss can be very susceptible to the effects of pollution, as it absorbs everything from the surroundings by diffusion, be it nutrients or harmful pollutants. Therefore, in today’s changing climate, moss is certainly under pressure.
The words ‘climate change’ loom over our heads like thunderstorm clouds and wait beneath our feet in swathes of quicksand. However, we must consider the solutions and take steps that lead to change, whether big or small. A crucial element of combating global warming and increasing biodiversity is persevering and restoring our precious natural habitats–one of these being boglands. Boglands are areas of decaying plant matter contained in a kind of marshy, freshwater soup. They are made of Sphagnum moss, which has incredible water-absorbing abilities that cause the bog to become waterlogged and anaerobic. This allows the partially decaying plant matter to be preserved and form peat–a fossil fuel. These boglands are a major carbon sink, and the destruction of these lands is detrimental to the climate. Bogs contain a third of all soil carbon, which is double the carbon that forests store. Clearly, bogs are not getting the love they should be! Unfortunately, large amounts of peat are being removed from the boglands, destroying habitats that took thousands of years to form and releasing CO2 in the process. Thankfully, there are some bog restoration projects underway, however, more needs to be done to preserve these ancient habitats and the delicate moss which supports them.
Moss may not always be at the top of our minds, but it will always be there beneath our feet in solace, helping the ecosystem which it surrounds. This bryophyte has been taking care of our earth for millions of years, and so its resilience may stand the test of climate change. From its bog-forming abilities to its diverse microfauna collection–moss has a trick for us all. No matter what happens, there will always be a mossy green cushion for you to fall back on!
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