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Introduction:Methods:Key results and discussion:A reliable method for measuring brown moss production helps us to understand the functioning of fen peatlands and to quantify their peat formation rate. However, traditional methods based on height increment are not suitable for measuring the growth rate of brown mosses with numerous lateral branches.The growth rate of common brown moss species in temperate and boreal fens was measured using two methods: (i) the marking method – a moss shoot was marked with oil paint and its growth increment measured from the mark (in the laboratory and in the field); and (ii) the plug method – a fragment of a moss colony was ‘plugged' (i.e. cored), weighed and replanted in a small basket for a year, then weighed again; a similar and bottomless basket was fixed in the moss colony as a control.Despite promising laboratory results, the marking method gave low shoot survival in the field, probably due to the restriction of external water transport along the shoots. No differences in shoot elongation were found between the plug method and the control. The plug method comprises the measurement of both apical and lateral growth, and the authors of the present study therefore recommend it for measuring the growth of brown mosses with numerous lateral branches. Considering only the elongation of the top shoots leads to an underestimation of growth by 50% and consequently to an underestimation of the peat-forming potential of brown mosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercontinental disjunctions are one of the most attractive and interesting biogeographical patterns. Bryophytes often exhibit such distributions, which is partly explained by their great ability to disperse over long distances. However, such intercontinental ranges are sometimes a distorted reality caused by the existence of unnoticed species. This study investigates whether the disjunction between East Africa and southern India of the moss Lewinskya firma reflects the genuine distribution of a single species or implies pseudo-cryptic species (whose morphological differentiation is subtle and have therefore been masked). An integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular methods (genotyping by sequencing, GBS) was used, based on a representation of samples specifically collected from all the major mountainous regions where this moss occurs. Two species, L. firma s. str. and L. afroindica sp. nov. are involved, whose ranges completely overlap in East Africa, although genetic distance and morphological differences in leaf apex shape, vaginula hairs shape and papillosity, spore ornamentation and peristome constitution and ornamentation allow distinguishing both. In addition, the range of L. afroindica extends into both southern Africa and southern India. The phylogenetic reconstruction obtained shows a certain degree of differentiation of the Indian populations, although they are yet morphologically indistinguishable from African populations. The results thus highlight both the existence of overlooked species and the complexity of bryophyte biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides the first comprehensive, region-wide assessment of mosses, evaluated according to IUCN's Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Level. The IUCN Red List criteria were applied to 961 Italian moss taxa to assess their current extinction risk and to highlight the major threats affecting the Italian moss flora. Overall, 246 moss taxa assessed in this study are assigned to a risk category and, therefore, considered threatened in Italy, with a percentage of 28.6%. One species is considered Regionally Extinct and 15 species Possibly Extinct at regional level. A further 5.8% are categorized as Near Threatened, 10.6% as Data Deficient and 56.0% as Least Concern. Most threats are co-occurring, indicating that many taxa are subjected to a set of correlated adverse processes. The main IUCN major threats identified were Climate Change and Natural System Modifications (mostly dams and water management and use). Considering the overall Italian bryophyte flora, 330 taxa (246 mosses, 83 liverworts, and 1 hornwort) are considered threatened with extinction at Italian level (29.0% mid-point value), five species are classified as RE and 18 as CR(PE); moreover, 84 taxa are NT (6.6%) and 130 are considered as DD (10.3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests cover one-third of the global land and are important components of carbon and nitrogen cycling. Anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest road systems or skid trails for timber harvesting, can dramatically change the nutrient cycling in these ecosystems. Skid trails increase soil erosion and thus the displacement of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (Nt). Additionally, runoff transports high amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which can have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. One of the most important countermeasures against soil erosion is the quick recolonization of vegetation. To date, the extent to which natural vegetation succession influences the relocation of SOC and Nt, and in particular the role of mosses in this context, has not been well investigated. This study investigates the influence of natural vegetation succession and in particular of mosses on the displacement process of SOC and Nt as well as DOC caused by soil erosion. To this end, we combine the results of a field study using in-situ rainfall simulations with small-scale runoff plots in skid trails of the Schönbuch Nature Park in southwestern Germany with the results of ex-situ rainfall simulation experiments with infiltration boxes containing the substrate from the respective skid trails. The eroded sediments of skid trails were on average enriched in SOC by 16% and in Nt by 35% compared to the original soil, which lead to a decrease of the C/N ratio in sediments. As vegetation succession progressed, the displacement of SOC and Nt was reduced, confirmed by a negative correlation between the enrichment ratios of SOC (ERSOC), Nt and total vegetation cover. However, mosses tended to reduce ERSOC more than vascular plants. Additionally, mosses significantly decreased DOC concentration in surface runoff compared to bare soils, while no difference in DOC concentration in percolated water could be observed. Future research should explore the role of mosses in the storage of SOC and Nt in the soil and their impact on soil stability. Thus, utilizing mosses could potentially minimize environmental impacts from soil disturbances in forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sporophytes of moss plants are dependent on the gametophytes for both photosynthesis and water, which makes conducting cells (hydroids and leptoids) an important part of the sporophyte anatomy. A previous study found that Physcomitrium pyriforme, which has shorter sporophytes, had higher rates of water transport than Funaria hygrometrica, which has taller sporophytes. The aim of this study is to test for differences in the conducting cell anatomy between these two moss species, which could be responsible for differences in water transport rates. We used histology methods to fix, embed, and section sporophyte seta and then quantified the numbers and sizes of the conducting cells. The results revealed that leptoids comprise a higher proportion of the conducting cell area in P. pyriforme, while hydroids comprise more of the conducting cell area in F. hygrometrica. These results point toward the leptoids playing a role in water transport in the moss sporophyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a compilation of recent literature on bryophytes, specifically mosses and liverworts. The articles cover a range of topics including the analysis of heavy metals in moss samples, the development of procedures for in vitro production of moss species, the potential use of moss in air purification systems, and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mosses. Other articles discuss the diversity and distribution of mosses and liverworts in various regions, as well as their potential medicinal properties. The document provides a valuable resource for researchers studying bryophytes and their ecological and medicinal significance. [Extracted from the article]

• High volume precipitation does not translate into increased moss-associated nitrogen (N) fixation rates. • N fixation increased more in a tropical moss compared to a subarctic moss under all rainfall regimes. • Less than 1 % of fixed N was leached from mosses within a 1-month period. • N leaching from mosses was more sensitive to watering volume than frequency. Nitrogen (N) fixation by moss-cyanobacteria associations has been recognized as an important N input pathway in many ecosystems from arctic tundra to tropical forests. However, the transfer of fixed N 2 from mosses to the soil as well as the effects of rainfall frequency and volume on this N transfer has hardly been studied – even though mosses can leach nutrients upon rewetting. In this study, we investigated the transfer of fixed N 2 by moss-cyanobacteria associations in one month under four watering regimes with a combination of high and low volume and frequency. For this, we used two morphologically similar moss species collected from ecosystems with different climate and N availability (subarctic - Hylocomium splendens ; and tropical - Thuidium delicatulum). Acetylene reduction assays were conducted as a measure of N 2 fixation rates in mosses, and 15N-N 2 tracing was used to follow the fixed N 2 from moss to the underlying substrate. Nitrogen fixation rates were higher in T. delicatulum than in H. splendens , but rainfall volume and frequency did not show strong effects on N 2 fixation rates. Nonetheless, the extent of N leached from mosses was more sensitive to an increase in rainfall volume than to an increase in frequency, and more N was lost from T. delicatulum under high volume precipitation than from H. splendens. Both total nitrogen and 15N enrichment results demonstrate that the fixed N 2 was mostly stored in moss tissues with less than 1 % leached to the substrate. Our results show that both moss species retain almost all fixed N 2 within their tissues under small rainfall disturbances within one month, while increased N availability under higher precipitation volume renders some moss species an important N source for the soil. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) J.R.Spence & H.P.Ramsay (Bryaceae) is a bipolar and one of the most widespread species within Antarctica, exhibiting a ubiquitous presence along the Antarctic Peninsula. This study analyzed its chloroplast genome, which is 123,172 bp in length, and consists of 82 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA genes, and 31 transfer RNA genes. A phylogenetic tree, constructed using 58 conserved orthologous protein-coding genes from 19 complete chloroplast genomes of the class Bryopsida, confirmed that P. pseudotriquetrum belongs to clade Bryaceae. Within this clade, P. pseudotriquetrum diverged from the clade containing Anomobryum gemmigerum and Bryum argenteum. This study contributes to enriching chloroplast genome resources for the family Bryaceae and the genus Ptychostomum. Such advancement could facilitate future genetic investigations aimed at conserving and exploiting Antarctic bryophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered fire regimes, combined with a warmer and drier climate, have been eroding the resilience of temperate rainforests and peatlands worldwide and leading to alternative post-fire vegetation communities. Chronic anthropogenic burning of temperate rainforests at the forest-peatland ecotone in western Patagonia appears to have shifted vegetation communities in poorly-drained sites from forests dominated by the threatened conifer, Pilgerodendron uviferum, to peat-accumulating wetlands covered by Sphagnum mosses. We collected and modeled post-reburn field data using ordinations and hierarchical Bayesian regressions to examine mechanisms through which P. uviferum forests may recover following fire or become locked into alternative development pathways by comparing biophysical factors of a reburned ecotone to those of an unburned (control) ecotone. We found that, (1) the significantly higher densities of P. uviferum trees and seedlings in the forested patches at both the reburned and control sites were associated with significantly lower seasonal water tables, lower cover of Sphagnum mosses and higher cover of other mosses (i.e., not in the Sphagnum or Dicranaloma genera); (2) despite abrupt boundaries in vegetation at both sites, successive fires homogenized the environment at the reburned site; and (3) the distinct life forms and individual species that characterized the understory plant communities across the ecotones affected seedling abundance by shaping microtopography and the substrates available for establishment. Together, our results suggest that fire can push edaphically wet P. uviferum-dominated sites towards a non-forested state by reducing the diversity of microsite structure and composition, thereby placing P. uviferum seedlings in direct competition with Sphagnum mosses and potentially limiting the availability of microsites that are protected from both seasonal inundation and seasonal drought. If wildfires continue under increasingly warmer and drier conditions, the forestpeatland ecotone of western Patagonia may be susceptible to large-scale transformation towards a non-forested state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Water scarcity, resulting from climate change, poses a significant threat to ecosystems. Syntrichia ruralis, a dryland desiccation‐tolerant moss, provides valuable insights into survival of water‐limited conditions.We sequenced the genome of S. ruralis, conducted transcriptomic analyses, and performed comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses with existing genomes and transcriptomes, including with the close relative S. caninervis. We took a genetic approach to characterize the role of an S. ruralis transcription factor, identified in transcriptomic analyses, in Arabidopsis thaliana.The genome was assembled into 12 chromosomes encompassing 21 169 protein‐coding genes. Comparative analysis revealed copy number and transcript abundance differences in known desiccation‐associated gene families, and highlighted genome‐level variation among species that may reflect adaptation to different habitats. A significant number of abscisic acid (ABA)‐responsive genes were found to be negatively regulated by a MYB transcription factor (MYB55) that was upstream of the S. ruralis ortholog of ABA‐insensitive 3 (ABI3). We determined that this conserved MYB transcription factor, uncharacterized in Arabidopsis, acts as a negative regulator of an ABA‐dependent stress response in Arabidopsis.The new genomic resources from this emerging model moss offer novel insights into how plants regulate their responses to water deprivation. See also the Commentary on this article by Marks, 243: 828–829. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive use, development, and expansion of the road network is expanding the zones of direct impact of road transport on forest ecosystems. Issues related to the mobility of trace elements in forest ecosystems along motorways are very important due to the numerous environmental risks associated with the excessive accumulation of metals, the ability to migrate and accumulate in plants and animals, and the risk of transferring these elements to higher trophic levels. The aim of this article was therefore to determine the impact of road traffic on the basis of contents of trace metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn and to describe the relationship of these contents in moss gametophytes and blueberry leaves taken in the vicinity of an existing and variously expanded expressway (S7, Poland, Europe). Analyses of transport impacts included the effects of distance and time of pollutant deposition and road transport on habitat and stand conditions. The highest contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in moss tissues were found in fir stands and the contents were, respectively, 0.36 mg·kg−1, 5.91 mg·kg−1, 12.5 mg·kg−1, 3.26 mg·kg−1, 8.82 mg·kg−1, and 55.28 mg·kg−1. Mosses showed the best bioindication capacity of all of the studied ecosystem elements. The Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni contents were particularly markedly elevated in moss tissues relative to non-anthropopressured areas and dependent on distance from the emitter (road). Blueberry proved to be a less useful bioindicator, as the contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn found were similar to the data from non-anthropopressured areas and were, respectively, 0.09 mg·kg−1, 0.98 mg·kg−1, 7.12 mg·kg−1, 2.49 mg·kg−1, 1.18 mg·kg−1, and 15.91 mg·kg−1 in fir stands and 0.04 mg·kg−1, 0.47 mg·kg−1, 6.63 mg·kg−1, 1.65 mg·kg−1, 0.72 mg·kg−1, and 17.44 mg·kg−1 in pine stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) can thrive under environmental conditions that are stressful for vascular plants such as high temperatures and/or extremely low moisture availability. In these settings, and in the absence of disturbance, cover of biocrusts commonly exceeds cover of vascular plants. Arid landscapes are also typically slow to recover from disturbance and prone to altered vegetation and invasion by exotic species. In the sagebrush ecosystems, cover of annual, exotic, invasive grasses are lower where cover of biocrusts and vascular plants are greater, suggesting that biocrusts play a role in helping arid sites avoid conversion to dominance by invasive grasses. The conceptual framework for assessing ecological resistance and resilience (R&R) is used across the region to estimate the risk of invasion by annual grasses and the likelihood of recovery of native plants following disturbance. However, this framework does not currently account for biocrusts. We used data collected by the Bureau of Land Management Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring program to relate biocrusts, specifically the presence of lichens and mosses, to the R&R framework. Lichens frequently occur on warm, dry sites, classified as lower R&R. Mosses frequently occur on sites classified as moderate or moderately low R&R. Without management practices that favor biocrusts in low‐moderate R&R, these areas may be more vulnerable to transitioning from being dominated by shrubs to annual grasses. Under climate change scenarios, the area occupied by lower R&R sites is likely to increase, suggesting that the role of biocrusts in maintaining site resistance to invasion may also increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoscorpions can be found in different microhabitats, one of which is moss. In this paper, we report the first records of pseudoscorpions associated with mosses in Mexico. We found three species: Albiorix edentatus, Paratemnoides nidificator and a new species of the genus Cocinachernes which is described below as C. akalchesis sp. nov. The specimens were collected from moss of the genus Bryum. This new species has globose spermathecae with four tubes: two short and two long, with ocular spots in the carapace; trichobothrium distance between t and st is less than the distance of t from the fingertip, Femur L/B ranges from 2.4 to 2.9, tibia from 1.68 to 1.9, chela is 2.9 (without pedicel), and hand (without pedicel) ranges from 2.53 to 2.88; galea short and slightly robust, without divisions in males; anterior operculum with 36 setae long and acuminated, posterior operculum with 20 acuminated setae. This new species represents the second known species of Cocinacheres from Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) fixation by moss-cyanobacteria associations has been recognized as an important N input pathway in many ecosystems from arctic tundra to tropical forests. However, the transfer of fixed N2 from mosses to the soil as well as the effects of rainfall frequency and volume on this N transfer has hardly been studied – even though mosses can leach nutrients upon rewetting. In this study, we investigated the transfer of fixed N2 by moss-cyanobacteria associations in one month under four watering regimes with a combination of high and low volume and frequency. For this, we used two morphologically similar moss species collected from ecosystems with different climate and N availability (subarctic - Hylocomium splendens; and tropical - Thuidium delicatulum). Acetylene reduction assays were conducted as a measure of N2 fixation rates in mosses, and 15N-N2 tracing was used to follow the fixed N2 from moss to the underlying substrate. Nitrogen fixation rates were higher in T. delicatulum than in H. splendens, but rainfall volume and frequency did not show strong effects on N2 fixation rates. Nonetheless, the extent of N leached from mosses was more sensitive to an increase in rainfall volume than to an increase in frequency, and more N was lost from T. delicatulum under high volume precipitation than from H. splendens. Both total nitrogen and 15N enrichment results demonstrate that the fixed N2 was mostly stored in moss tissues with less than 1 % leached to the substrate. Our results show that both moss species retain almost all fixed N2 within their tissues under small rainfall disturbances within one month, while increased N availability under higher precipitation volume renders some moss species an important N source for the soil.

Three moss species are recorded for the first time in the Republic of North Macedonia. These are Brachytheciastrum dieckei, Kiaeria starkei and Orthotrichum schimperi. Details on records are given including distribution, georeferences and ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Diplolepideae are the larger group within the Arthrodontae mosses, characterized by peristomes formed from residual cell walls. It is now understood that these peristomes exhibit diverse hygroscopic movements, playing a crucial role in spore release. However, the exact mechanism behind this movement remains unclear, lacking direct evidence. This study investigated the microscopic and submicroscopic structures of the peristomes in three Diplolepideae species: Hypopterygium fauriei (Besch.), Pylaisia levieri (Müll. Hal.) Arikawa and Regmatodon declinatus (Hook.) Brid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to reveal the differences in their hygroscopic movement mechanisms. Results The three species exhibited distinct responses upon wetting: H. fauriei’s exostome closed inwards, P. levieri’ opened outwards, and R. declinatus’ elongated significantly. These differences are attributed to the varying microfibril deposition in the exostome layers. Uniform deposition in the inner layer and minimal deposition in the outer layer enabled exostome opening upon wetting and closing when dry. Our findings suggest that the diastole and contraction of fine microfibrils in the exostome plates and ridges are the key drivers of hygroscopic movement. Conclusions This study provides further evidence at both the structural and submicroscopic levels, contributing to the unraveling of the hygroscopic movement mechanism in Diplolepideae peristomes. This enhanced understanding sheds light on the relationship between peristome structure and function.

The archaeobotanical research of the Stare Gmajne pile-dwelling site included analyses of samples taken from moss remains and vessel contents, as well as wood anatomical analyses of several wooden artefacts and charcoal pieces.The moss of two forest species and other macroremains provide evidences of human diet and gathering as well as surrounding vegetation in the Eneolithic (3521−3366 cal BC). The results show the inhabitants collected wild plants and cultivated crops, with six cultivars identified. For the wooden artefacts, they show the bow was made of yew and the rings of hazel. They also reveal significant differences between the two excavated trenches and between different stratigraphic units. Further research of the systematically sampled sediments will address questions concerning the possibility of detecting changes in water levels and the location of the Eneolithic settlement. What is already clear is that the organic remains in the present-day Ljubljansko barje soil are highly endangered.

Nesting is a central topic in the behavioural ecology of many species, but data on the materials used to construct mammal nests are rarely reported. This paper describes the most commonly used components from 25 summer nests of the garden dormouse, a small threatened rodent endemic to Europe. Median nest dry weight of 25 nests was 15.5 g (10.3–21.1 g) and moss was the most common material (78 %), followed by leaves (9 %). Mosses were also the most frequently used material, with Hypnum cupressiforme being the most frequently used taxon in 11 out of 25 nests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roots of vascular plants are colonised by a multitude of microbes, which play an important role in plant health and stress resilience. Drought stress in particular is devastating for crop yield and causes major shifts in the rhizosphere microbial communities. However, the microbiome associated to the rhizoids (hereafter termed rhizoid‐sphere) of the nonvascular bryophytes remains largely unexplored. Here, we use amplicon sequencing to explore the rhizoid‐sphere microbiome of three bryophyte species under drought and well‐watered conditions. Comparing rhizoid‐sphere microbial communities associated with the two liverworts Marchantia polymorpha and Marchantia paleacea and the moss Physcomitrium patens showed characteristic differences in composition between host species and both conserved and unique changes under drought. At phylum level, these changes were similar to changes in the rhizosphere of angiosperms under drought. Furthermore, we observed strong differences in rhizoid‐sphere colonisation between bryophyte species for taxa known for nitrogen fixation and plant growth promotion. Interestingly, M. polymorpha prioritised the growth of belowground organs under osmotic stress, as is the case for angiosperms under drought. Taken together, our results show interesting parallels between bryophytes and angiosperms in the relation with their rhizo(id‐)sphere, suggesting evolutionary conservation among land plants in their response to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Diplolepideae are the larger group within the Arthrodontae mosses, characterized by peristomes formed from residual cell walls. It is now understood that these peristomes exhibit diverse hygroscopic movements, playing a crucial role in spore release. However, the exact mechanism behind this movement remains unclear, lacking direct evidence. This study investigated the microscopic and submicroscopic structures of the peristomes in three Diplolepideae species: Hypopterygium fauriei (Besch.), Pylaisia levieri (Müll. Hal.) Arikawa and Regmatodon declinatus (Hook.) Brid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to reveal the differences in their hygroscopic movement mechanisms. Results: The three species exhibited distinct responses upon wetting: H. fauriei's exostome closed inwards, P. levieri' opened outwards, and R. declinatus' elongated significantly. These differences are attributed to the varying microfibril deposition in the exostome layers. Uniform deposition in the inner layer and minimal deposition in the outer layer enabled exostome opening upon wetting and closing when dry. Our findings suggest that the diastole and contraction of fine microfibrils in the exostome plates and ridges are the key drivers of hygroscopic movement. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence at both the structural and submicroscopic levels, contributing to the unraveling of the hygroscopic movement mechanism in Diplolepideae peristomes. This enhanced understanding sheds light on the relationship between peristome structure and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, distributional record of the moss Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn. for the state of Assam is established for the first time. Taxonomic description and illustration of the same, based on specimens collected from Kamrup and Morigaon districts of the state are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of the appropriate biomonitor species is a crucial criterion for biomonitoring on a broad spatial scale. Mosses Hypnum cupressiforme and Brachythecium spp. and lichen Evernia prunastri were sampled at 22 remote sites over Serbia aiming interspecies comparison of their bioconcentration capacities. The concentration of 16 potentially toxic elements (PTEs), Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, V, and Zn, was measured in the samples. Between the co-located mosses, linear regression analysis (type II) showed significant determination coefficients only for a couple of the elements (Cd and S), while for H. cupressiforme vs. lichen, significant regression lines were obtained for a broader set of elements (Ba, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sr). The ratio of the PTEs in the mosses discovered higher concentrations in H. cupressiforme than in another moss at some sites and vice versa at other sites. According to the PTE ratios, H. cupressiforme accumulated much more element content than the lichen, but followed a similar spatial pattern. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) pointed out a different grouping of the PTEs depending on the species tested. The poor correlation of the moss-moss data is perhaps because several species of the genus Brachythecium were sampled, which possibly influenced the average genus accumulation capacity. In addition, morphological features of the mosses (concave vs. flat leaflets, creeping vs. cushiony life form) presumably delegate differences in PTE accumulation. To conclude, it should be careful with using more biomonitor species, even of the same genus, within the same study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the survey of biodiversity of actinobacteria associated with mosses (Taxithelium nepalense (Schwägr.) Broth. and Barbula indica (Hook.) Spreng.), certain strains of pigment producing actinobacteria were isolated and purified on SCA and incubated at 30°C for 1 week. Based on deep-shade color of actinobacterial pigments, 4 strains were collected and used for painting color preparation. To evaluate the antimicrobial activities, the crude extracts were prepared from 4 actinobacterial strains and tested with Escherichia coli PSRU-01 and Staphylococcus aureus PSRU-01. The results indicated that the crude extracts of C7, C13, C15 and D13 could not inhibit growth of E. coli PSRU-01, but S. aureus PSRU-01 was inhibited. Two fungal testers, including Colletotrichum sp. PSRU-01 and Fusarium sp. PSRU-01, were completely inhibited by the crude pigment extracts of C13, C15 and D13. Based on phylogenetic results, the actinobacterial strains were closely related to Streptomyces californicus (C7, 100% identity), Streptomyces bungoensis (C13, 99.8% similarity), Streptomyces humi (C15, 99.9% similarity), and Streptomyces rectiverticillatus (D13, 99.8% similarity). They also shared phenotypic characteristics with Streptomyces. The cultivated cells of actinobacteria on broken-milled rice were used for pigment extraction and followed by determination of the extracted pigments for mixing with acrylic color in the shade violet, green, orange and pink colors. Application of actinobacterial pigments in painting is the first report and it is an innovative utilization of actinobacterial pigments in non-scientific field in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dominant plants play crucial roles in supporting the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Plants can influence the spatial heterogeneity of environmental factors, as well as the spatial turnover in the composition of soil communities (i.e. β‐diversity of soil communities). However, we still poorly understand how dominant plants drive the spatial turnover in multiple ecosystem functions (β‐multifunctionality hereafter), and to which extent the effects of dominant plants are mediated by changes in environmental heterogeneity and the β‐diversity of soil communities.Antarctica supports one of the most challenging environments on the planet including low temperature and water availability. Here, we collected soil samples under three dominant plants (lichen, moss and vascular plants) and bare ground. We measured carbon storage, nutrient availability, nutrient decomposition, microbial biomass and pathogen control to calculate β‐multifunctionality.Both non‐vascular and vascular plants were associated with increased β‐multifunctionality compared to bare ground. We further showed that lichen mainly affected β‐multifunctionality through soil temperature heterogeneity and β‐bacterial diversity. Similarly, moss mainly affected β‐multifunctionality through the spatial heterogeneity of soil water content and β‐bacterial diversity. However, vascular plants did not significantly affect environmental heterogeneity. Instead, the responses of β‐multifunctionality to vascular plants were mainly driven by the β‐diversity of soil communities. These results indicate that environmental heterogeneity is important for turnover in multiple ecosystem functions in early successional stages (dominated by non‐vascular plants), while the importance of soil communities' heterogeneity becomes more significant in late successional stages (dominated by vascular plants).Synthesis. Our findings highlight the fundamental role of dominant plants in controlling the spatial turnover in ecosystem functions, and suggest that accelerated succession under current climate warming may increase bacterial β‐diversity but decrease abiotic heterogeneity, thereby leading to both increases (e.g. regarding functions related to microbial biomass) and decreases (e.g. regarding functions related to nutrient availability) in β‐multifunctionality and hence the spatial turnover in levels of ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associations between bryophytes and dinitrogen (N2)-fixing bacteria are a significant source of exogenous N in unmanaged boreal and possibly temperate ecosystems. However, the extent to which biological N2-fixation (BNF) applies to the boreal–temperate ecotone remains elusive. The current focus on common species limits our understanding of BNF at the community level. Our objective was to characterize the presence of cyanobacteria and BNF activity associated with bryophytes in the coastal forests of Fundy National Park (New Brunswick, Canada). In 2021, we harvested three liverwort and 11 moss species from two sites (71 samples) and measured environmental covariates (e.g., canopy composition and soil pH). We used stable isotope incubations with 15N2 gas in growth chambers to quantify potential BNF activity and used phycocyanin extractions as a cyanobacteria abundance proxy. Many species presented detectable BNF rates, which were similar to or higher than those of well-studied feather mosses. These included species that have rarely been found to contribute to BNF. While cyanobacteria were present on most samples, we found no positive association between abundance and BNF. Our findings are among the first records for bryophyte-associated BNF in the boreal–temperate ecotone of eastern Canada and offer insights into the potential role of this process in N cycling in coastal conifer-dominated forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first chromosome-scale reference genome of the rare narrow-endemic African moss Physcomitrellopsis africana (P. africana) is presented here. Assembled from 73 × Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long reads and 163 × Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI)-seq short reads, the 414 Mb reference comprises 26 chromosomes and 22,925 protein-coding genes [Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) scores: C:94.8% (D:13.9%)]. This genome holds 2 genes that withstood rigorous filtration of microbial contaminants, have no homolog in other land plants, and are thus interpreted as resulting from 2 unique horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) from microbes. Further, P. africana shares 176 of the 273 published HGT candidates identified in Physcomitrium patens (P. patens), but lacks 98 of these, highlighting that perhaps as many as 91 genes were acquired in P. patens in the last 40 million years following its divergence from its common ancestor with P. africana. These observations suggest rather continuous gene gains via HGT followed by potential losses during the diversification of the Funariaceae. Our findings showcase both dynamic flux in plant HGTs over evolutionarily "short" timescales, alongside enduring impacts of successful integrations, like those still functionally maintained in extant P. africana. Furthermore, this study describes the informatic processes employed to distinguish contaminants from candidate HGT events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peatlands with ground surfaces near the water table may be sensitive to disturbances that reduce this distance to water. Shrubby rich fens (SRF) in northern Alberta, Canada, are restricted to the wettest landscape positions and are characterized by brown mosses and stunted trees on weakly consolidated and saturated substrates. In situ oil sands exploration (OSE) practices have established thousands of drilling pads to explore for deeply buried bitumen deposits, with many located on peatlands. In the development of OSE pads on peatlands, the vegetation layer is removed, eliminating the functionally important hummock‐hollow surface topography. We examined the spontaneous regeneration of bryophytes and vascular plants and surface microtopography on SRF, 7 and again 14 years after pad abandonment. In both sampling years, drilling pad surfaces were closer to the water table (mean pad elevation 2012 = 3.3 cm, 2019 = 5.6 cm) and had minor topography compared to adjacent reference habitat. We found, however, over the 7 years, that for both drilling pads and reference habitat, bryophyte and vascular plant richness decreased, and most species declined in frequency. Furthermore, for pads and reference habitat, density of tree seedlings decreased, and expansion of hummock‐forming mosses was limited. Findings suggest that drilling pads and their natural counterparts on SRF may be prone to episodic reductions in plant diversity and ecosystem retrogression, likely resulting from prolonged surface saturation during summers with high rainfall. Because of their wet landscape positions and environmental vulnerability, SRF are likely the peatland habitats slowest to recover following OSE pad construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryophytes, a monophyletic group comprising three major lineages, diversified soon after the terrestrialization of land plants. However, their internal phylogenetic relationships remain controversial. In this study, we reconstructed the ordinal and familial phylogeny of bryophytes using the largest plastid data set to date, including 549 taxa that represent almost all known orders and two‐thirds of families. The strongly supported phylogenetic inference enabled us to propose in mosses seven newly segregated families, that is, Baldwiniellaceae, Calyptrochaetaceae, Ctenidiaceae, Herpetineuraceae, Isodrepaniaceae, Pseudotaxiphyllaceae, and Rozeaceae, and one reduced family, that is, Climaciaceae. We also transferred the liverwort family Calyculariaceae from Fossombroniales to Pelliales. Recent advancements in molecular phylogeny have revolutionized bryophyte classification, tending to be more fragmental. Hence, we further propose a revised familial classification system for bryophytes that includes 45 orders and 142 families in mosses, 23 orders and 85 families in liverworts, and five orders and five families in hornworts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change in high latitude regions leads to both higher temperatures and more precipitation but their combined effects on terrestrial ecosystem processes are poorly understood. In nitrogen (N) limited and often moss‐dominated tundra and boreal ecosystems, moss‐associated N2 fixation is an important process that provides new N. We tested whether high mean annual precipitation enhanced experimental warming effects on growing season N2 fixation in three common arctic‐boreal moss species adapted to different moisture conditions and evaluated their N contribution to the landscape level. We measured in situ N2 fixation rates in Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Sphagnum spp. from June to September in subarctic tundra in Sweden. We exposed mosses occurring along a natural precipitation gradient (mean annual precipitation: 571–1155 mm) to 8 years of experimental summer warming using open‐top chambers before our measurements. We modelled species‐specific seasonal N input to the ecosystem at the colony and landscape level. Higher mean annual precipitation clearly increased N2 fixation, especially during peak growing season and in feather mosses. For Sphagnum‐associated N2 fixation, high mean annual precipitation reversed a small negative warming response. By contrast, in the dry‐adapted feather moss species higher mean annual precipitation led to negative warming effects. Modelled total growing season N inputs for Sphagnum spp. colonies were two to three times that of feather mosses at an area basis. However, at the landscape level where feather mosses were more abundant, they contributed 50% more N than Sphagnum. The discrepancy between modelled estimates of species‐specific N input via N2 fixation at the moss core versus ecosystem scale, exemplify how moss cover is essential for evaluating impact of altered N2 fixation. Importantly, combined effects of warming and higher mean annual precipitation may not lead to similar responses across moss species, which could affect moss fitness and their abilities to buffer environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present two significant records of mosses in Slovenia: Bryum canariense and Fissidens fontanus, and the first record of an animal species, Porcellio obsoletus, from the Slovene Coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the presence of mycoviruses in Antarctic fungi and elucidates their evolutionary relationships. To achieve this, we aligned mycoviral gene sequences with genomes of previously sequenced Antarctic endophytic fungi, made available by our research group and accessible via Joint Genome Institute. Our findings reveal that the most prevalent genetic regions in all endophytic fungi are homologous to Partitiviruses, Baculoviridae, and Phycodnaviridae. These regions display evidence of positive selection pressure, suggesting genetic diversity and the accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations. This phenomenon implies a crucial role for these regions in the adaptation and survival of these fungi in the challenging Antarctic ecosystems. The presence of mycoviruses in Antarctic endophytic fungi may indicate shared survival strategies between the virus and its host, shedding light on their evolutionary dynamics. This study underscores the significance of exploring mycoviruses within endophytic fungi and their contributions to genetic diversity. Future research avenues could delve into the functional implications of these conserved mycoviral genetic regions in Antarctic endophytic fungi, providing a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing association and genomic retention of viral region in fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic chips play crucial roles while lack satisfactory controllability and comprehensive functionality. Inspired by biological systems, this study proposes a method utilizing rolling microneedles (RMNs) to generate muti‐structured templates, realizing photonic crystal membrane (PC) based meta microfluidic microneedle chip (MMM) for efficient wound management. This approach offers advantages in terms of speed and cost‐effectiveness, achieving dual‐sided permeation and patterned design by directly RMNs at desired locations, serving as both template tools for microneedle fabrication. The integration of RMNs with a PC membrane results in the design of 3D multilayer microfluidic channels, effectively addressing issues related to spontaneous fluid flow. As fluid reaches the PC membrane, it generates distinctive structural colors and exhibits fluorescence enhancement, enabling the monitoring of inflammatory factors in mouse wounds and facilitating efficient wound management. In summary, this preparation method involving RMNs paves the way for the design and fluid control of microfluidic chips. This bioinspired patch holds significant potential not only for wound management but also for areas such as clinical drug delivery and point‐of‐care testing (POCT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bryophytes, including the lineages of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, are the second‐largest photoautotroph group on Earth. Recent work across terrestrial ecosystems has highlighted how bryophytes retain and control water, fix substantial amounts of carbon (C), and contribute to nitrogen (N) cycles in forests (boreal, temperate, and tropical), tundra, peatlands, grasslands, and deserts. Understanding how changing climate affects bryophyte contributions to global cycles in different ecosystems is of primary importance. However, because of their small physical size, bryophytes have been largely ignored in research on water, C, and N cycles at global scales. Here, we review the literature on how bryophytes influence global biogeochemical cycles, and we highlight that while some aspects of global change represent critical tipping points for survival, bryophytes may also buffer many ecosystems from change due to their capacity for water, C, and N uptake and storage. However, as the thresholds of resistance of bryophytes to temperature and precipitation regime changes are mostly unknown, it is challenging to predict how long this buffering capacity will remain functional. Furthermore, as ecosystems shift their global distribution in response to changing climate, the size of different bryophyte‐influenced biomes will change, resulting in shifts in the magnitude of bryophyte impacts on global ecosystem functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, updated checklist of the bryophytes of Algeria was compiled from the literature. Reports were made mainly by French botanists in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries and include a total of 498 taxa, of which 477 are at species level and the rest are at infraspecific rank. It comprises three hornwort species, 118 liverwort taxa (113 species), and 377 moss taxa (361 species). For each taxon, literature records and localities explored in the country are provided. The analysis of the current data reveals that Algeria is the Maghreb country with the second-largest number of bryophyte taxa, behind Morocco. As in other Mediterranean countries, hornworts and liverworts are scarce (24.3%), and mosses are dominant (75.7%). Concerning liverworts and hornworts, the family Ricciaceae and genus Riccia (31 taxa) are the best-represented; the aquatic and ephemeral genus Riella (8 taxa) shows the higher number of species in the Mediterranean countries. Regarding mosses, the family Pottiaceae is the largest one, with 107 taxa (28.4% of the moss taxa), and Tortula (22 taxa) is the most species-rich genus. Algeria has, by now, the lowest species/km2 ratio (0.20 × 10-3) compared to the rest of the Maghreb and some European Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, and Spain), due not only to the low degree of knowledge of the bryophyte flora but also to the larger surface area of the country and the great extension of the Saharan region. The high percentages of rare or very rare taxa (72.5%) versus the low percentages of frequent, common, and very common (27.5%) can be an indicator that many areas are still underexplored, and that the bryophyte flora of the country cannot be considered well-known. The revision or collection of new samples of some rare or doubtful taxa would be necessary to assess the reliability of some reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Journal of Bryology, presents new national and regional records of bryophytes. The records include the discovery of various plant species in different regions, such as liverworts and mosses. The article provides detailed descriptions of each species, including their characteristics and habitats. These findings contribute to our understanding of the distribution and diversity of bryophytes in these regions. The authors acknowledge the support and funding they received for their research. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: During exploration of the central Chilean bryophyte flora over the past 10 years, especially during the wet winter months, a species of Acaulon was collected that did not match any of the known species of the genus. Here, we present our arguments for recognising these plants as a new moss species. Methods: The new taxon was compared morphologically with the species of Acaulon currently recognised. In addition, most of the type material of the taxa attributed to this genus was studied. Key results and conclusions: Acaulon chilense is described and illustrated as a new moss species from Chile. It is characterised by its reddish coloration, papillose distal laminal cells, costa with homogeneous cells, strongly thickened dorsal cell walls, spores less than 30 μm in diameter, and rhizoautoicous sexuality. The morphological similarities with closely related species are discussed. A distribution map of the new species is provided. This taxon is relatively common, appearing during the wet winter months in the Mediterranean climate areas of the lowlands of central Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on the bryophyte flora of Maltepe University Central Campus, with samples collected between March 2023 and March 2024. Approximately 150 moss samples were collected from the study area, and through taxonomic identification, a total of 42 moss taxa belonging to 10 families and 26 genera were identified. Among these taxa, 19 represent new records for the province of Istanbul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The conquest of land by plants was concomitant with, and possibly enabled by, the evolution of three‐dimensional (3D) growth. The moss Physcomitrium patens provides a model system for elucidating molecular mechanisms in the initiation of 3D growth. Here, we investigate whether the phytohormone ethylene, which is believed to have been a signal before land plant emergence, plays a role in 3D growth regulation in P. patens.We report ethylene controls 3D gametophore formation, based on results from exogenously applied ethylene and genetic manipulation of PpEIN2, which is a central component in the ethylene signaling pathway.Overexpression (OE) of PpEIN2 activates ethylene responses and leads to earlier formation of gametophores with fewer gametophores produced thereafter, phenocopying ethylene‐treated wild‐type. Conversely, Ppein2 knockout mutants, which are ethylene insensitive, show initially delayed gametophore formation with more gametophores produced later. Furthermore, pharmacological and biochemical analyses reveal auxin levels are decreased in the OE lines but increased in the knockout mutants.Our results suggest that evolutionarily, ethylene and auxin molecular networks were recruited to build the plant body plan in ancestral land plants. This might have played a role in enabling ancient plants to acclimate to the continental surfaces of the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Checklist of mosses (Bryophyta) of Slovenia within current political boundaries comprises 669 species, 6 subspecies and 18 varieties. Additional 13 species are denoted by a question mark since reports are considered questionable. An alphabetically arranged tabular presentation of genera, species and lower taxa, also shows their presence in particular phytogeographical units of Slovenia. The records from the periods before and after 1959 are marked with different symbols. Each species has also new Red List status in Slovenia. The checklist includes the data from literature and the Herbarium LJU. Annotations to selected species give a critical evaluation of the literature and herbarium data. A list of taxa that should be excluded from the flora of Slovenia and the synonyms used in the floristic literature for Slovenia are also added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The documentation of moss diversity from Egypt dates back to Delile in 1812. By now the moss flora of Egypt comprises approximately two hundred taxa. Twenty-six of these moss taxa were primarily collected before 1904 as a single record, by foreign scientists, without herbarium specimens, illustration, and description. Expeditions to different phytogeographical territories in Egypt were projected to confirm old reports and record undiscovered taxa. Upon investigation, it was determined that three moss species out of the 26 single records have been confirmed to be present after a century. Fissidens fontanus (Bach. Pyl.) Steud., was the only taxon reported with no locality, in this work, it is reported from Nile Nubia territory raising the total number from this territory to 10. Grimmia orbicularis Bruch ex Wilson and Schistidium apocarpum (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp are reported from the mountains of South Sinai establishing their habitats in this territory. In addition, the precise locations, descriptions, and photographs of those three taxa are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasion of Ukraine and military operations around Ukrainian nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities have prompted us to search for radiocaesium in mosses from the Kopački Rit Nature Park in Croatia, since mosses are known bioindicators of airborne radioactive pollution, and Kopački Rit is a known low radiocaesium background area. Sampling was finished in August 2023, and our analysis found no elevated radiocaesium levels. Kopački Rit therefore remains a suitable place for future detection of anthropogenic radioactive pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2023 checklist for Pennsylvania bryophytes lists 547 taxa including 426 mosses, 118 liverworts, and 3 hornworts, but only 48 confirmed moss species and one liverwort species collected during the last 100 years from Perry County. As a result of fieldwork reported herein and review of herbarium data from 1923 to present, an additional 49 moss and 2 liverwort species are now included in the Perry County bryoflora. Significant bryophyte species reported from the county include the moss Bucklandiella venusta, which represents the first collection of this species in Pennsylvania during the past 100 years. Currently, 97 moss and 3 hepatic taxa are reported from Perry County, Pennsylvania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Although the vascular flora of Western Australia is renowned for high species diversity and endemism, very little is known about the state's moss and liverwort flora. Aims: In 1984 we conducted surveys of bryophytes in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods: We searched comprehensively for bryophytes at seven major habitats on the Reserve, collecting voucher specimens subsequently identified with modern literature and with the help of Australian bryophyte experts. We updated the text to reflect modern taxonomy and considering modern literature on phytogeography and hypotheses associated with OCBIL (Old, Climatically Buffered, Infertile Landscapes) theory. Key results: A total of 38 species of mosses representing 25 genera from 13 families were identified along with 10 species of liverworts representing nine genera and six families. Two moss species (Distichium inclinatum and Tortella dakinii) were previously unknown from Western Australia. Another represented a new species (Pleurophascum occidentale) in a heretofore monotypic genus, family, and order. The Pottiaceae, with 11 species, was the most diverse family of mosses. The Lepidoziaceae, with three species, was the most diverse family of liverworts. Conclusions: Lower levels of endemism in bryophytes versus vascular plants may reflect the bryophytes' capacity for wide and long-distance dispersal of spores and fragments. Bryophyte diversity and endemism may be less than on extensive OCBILs because much of the Reserve emerged from the ocean as recently as the mid-Pleistocene. Implications: This, the first listing published of bryophytes on a Reserve in WA, indicates the potential rewards for further survey of mosses and liverworts. In 1984 we searched comprehensively for bryophytes at seven major habitats on Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. A total of 38 species of mosses and ten species of liverworts included two moss species (Distichium inclinatum and Tortella dakinii) previously unknown from Western Australia. Another represented a new species (Pleurophascum occidentale) in a heretofore monotypic order. This, the first listing published of bryophytes on a Reserve in Western Australia, indicates the potential rewards for further survey of bryophytes. This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions (NBSs) are becoming more and more recognized as useful instruments to address the challenges that urban areas are currently facing, i.e., climate change adaptation, flood mitigation, etc. In the present study, we aimed to: (1) compare the efficiency of mosses, lichens, herbs and trees in removing pollutants from the urban air using their biomonitoring potential; (2) assess their efficiency as nature-based solutions to mitigate urban air pollution; and (3) propose a framework for implementing such NBSs in urban areas. The first step involved analyses of the concentrations of 20 potentially toxic elements in eight selected biomonitors. After that, an assessment of their removal capacity was made on the basis of elements accumulation. This is the first complex study in an urban area involving the simultaneous application of organisms of eight different species and four different systematic groups (lichenized fungi, mosses, herbaceous plants, woody species) as well as such a large number of potentially hazardous elements. The present study sheds new light on some well-known biomonitors in the context of their application for air pollution mitigation. The great potential of the eight studied plant species for efficient removal of potentially toxic elements is highlighted and their implementation into NBS frameworks is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two accessions of the polytrichaceous moss species Polytrichum formosum, namely German and Serbian genotypes, were subjected to salt stress, aiming to study the species' developmental and physiological features. Various concentrations of sodium chloride were applied to an axenic in vitro culture of the two moss genotypes, and the growth parameters as well as physiological feature changes were followed. As inferred by the morpho-developmental parameters and survival index, the Serbian genotype showed higher resistance to salt stress as compared to the German one. However, both moss genotypes survived the highest applied concentration (500 mM). As expected, short exposures to salt were rather easily overcome. No clear patterns in sugar content and changes were observed during the stress, but they are surely included in salt stress response and tolerance in P. formosum. Longer stress increased total chlorophyll content in both genotypes. In short-term applied salt stress, the Serbian genotype had a higher total chlorophyll concentration to control unstressed plants, while the German genotype decreased the total amount of chlorophyll. Similarly, carotenoids were shown to be significantly higher in the Serbian genotype, both in unstressed and treated plants, compared to the German one. The contents of tocopherols were higher in the Serbian genotype in controlled unstressed and subsequently short- and long-stressed plantlets compared to the German accession. In general, we can assume that P. formosum is unexpectedly tolerant to salt stress and that there are differences within various accessions of overall European populations, as referred by two randomly selected genotypes, which is most probably a consequence of different genetic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing emissions of industrial production and transportation have resulted in serious atmospheric heavy-metal pollution, posing threats to the health of urban residents. In this paper, the bryophyte is recommended to monitor the pollution, which features wide distribution, low cost, and being able to get intuitive results. Thus, a kind of moss (Sphagnum palustre) bag was applied to monitoring the concentrations of atmospheric heavy metal (incl. Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) in Guangzhou City, and accordingly the pollution degree and health risks were evaluated. The results obtained from the monitoring showed that in comparison with the pre-exposure to the atmospheric heavy metal pollution, the post-exposure geometric mean values of concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contained in the mosses were 1.2, 2.3, 1.4 and 2.3 times higher than, respectively, however Cr concentration decreased slightly (0.9 times); and in general, the geometric mean values of concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were comparatively high in industrial areas, while in commercial areas, the concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were found to be higher than the scenic and residential areas. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) revealed that industrial activities and traffic emission were the main sources of atmospheric heavy metal contamination of Guangzhou City. Following the heavy metal pollution status-quo investigation with moss, four functional areas were assessed using the contamination factor, which indicated that in the monitoring sites showing heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) pollution was high/very-high, the emissions mainly came from coal combustion, industrial metal production and processing activities, while those showing moderate (Cu, Zn) pollution, the pollutants came from traffic sources, and the monitoring sites where heavy metal contamination level was low, were utterly distant from industrial emission sources and traffic pollution sources. In conclusion, the moss bag (Sphagnum palustre) is rather adaptive to monitoring atmospheric heavy metal contamination in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryophytes, which include liverworts, mosses, and hornworts, have a long history of traditional medicinal use and are now gaining attention for their biotechnological applications. The evolution of bryophytes and their transition from traditional medicine to biotechnological applications can be explored through various studies. With more than 25,000 species, they constitute a significant part of the terrestrial flora. Bryophytes produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including terpenoids, phenols, glycosides, fatty acids, and amino acids. Bryophytes exhibit cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities, making them promising resources for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industry applications. The traditional uses of bryophytes in medicine are reported in various cultures, including traditional Chinese, Indian, and Native American medicine. Recent advancements in technology and research methodologies have revealed the intricate chemical composition and pharmacological potential of bryophytes, leading to the identification of bioactive compounds with promising therapeutic properties. However details about the potential of bryophytes are currently scattered and not thoroughly documented. The present review focuses on gathering and organizing information about bryophytes and highlighting the challenges, opportunities, and future prospects in harnessing their therapeutic potential for the benefit of global healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antarctic moss beds are sensitive to climatic conditions, and both their survival and community composition are particularly influenced by the availability of liquid water over summer. As Antarctic regions increasingly face climate pressures (e.g., changing hydrology and heat waves), advancing capabilities to efficiently and non‐destructively monitor water content in moss communities becomes a key research priority. Because of the complexity induced by multiple micro‐climatic drivers and its fragility, tracking the evolution and responses of moss bed moisture requires monitoring methods that are non‐intrusive, efficient, and spatially significant, such as the use of unoccupied aerial systems (UAS). In this study, we combine a multi‐species drying laboratory experiment with short‐wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy analyses to first develop a Random Forest regression Model (RFM) capable of predicting Antarctic moss turf water content (~5% error). The RFM was then applied to UAS‐borne SWIR imaging data (900–1700 nm, <16 nm spectral resolution) of the moss beds at high spatial resolution (2 cm) across three sites in the vicinity of Casey Station, Antarctica. The sites differed in terrain, snow cover, and moisture availability to evaluate method capabilities under different conditions. Optimum RFM parameters and input variables (spectral indices and reflectance spectra) were determined. Maps of moss moisture were validated via acquiring moss spectra and water content (using sponges inserted into the moss turf) collected in situ, for which an exponential correlation (R2 = 0.72) was reported. RFM further allowed investigation of the influential spectral variables to model water content in moss and associated spectral water absorption features. We demonstrated that UAS‐borne SWIR imaging is a promising new tool to map and quantify water content in Antarctic moss beds. Hyperspectral mapping facilitates the exploration of the spatial variability of moss health and enables the creation of a baseline against which changes in these moss communities can be measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited evidence on bryophyte-tracheophyte allelopathic interactions. Even less is known about such relationships among commercially important plants and mosses. With the aim of screening such interactions, various extract concentrations of nine different mosses were tested on the seed germination and seedlings, i.e., hypocotyl elongation and total chlorophyll content of lettuce and radish. The allelopathic effects are documented to be pairwise (moss-vegetable) and species-specific. Based on the results, the extracts of Leucodon sciuroides and Dicranum polysetum are not harmful to lettuce and radish. Lower extract concentrations of Leucodon sciuroides and Ctenidium molluscum have a positive effect on lettuce development, while those of Thuidium delicatulum, Ctenidium molluscum, and Dicranum polysetum showed to be effective on radish. Further, negative effects were noticed when applying higher extract concentration of Abietinella abietina, Isothecium alopecuroides, Dicranum polysetum, and Racomitrium elongatum to lettuce and Isothecium alopecuroides to radish. The dataset presented in this study offers numerous possibilities for further target pest/vegetable type applications since some of the moss extracts are shown to be positive, negative, or indifferent to the tested features in lettuce and radish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]