Mosses, often underestimated and misunderstood, have emerged as essential contributors to the well-being of our global environment, as revealed by a study conducted by UNSW Sydney. This extensive research, spanning diverse ecosystems worldwide, sheds light on the significant role of mosses in maintaining ecosystem health, carbon capture, soil nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, pathogen control, and erosion prevention.
While many individuals perceive the growth of moss in their gardens as a nuisance, they are often unaware of the numerous advantages this ancient vegetation offers to our green spaces, particularly its crucial role in combating soil erosion.
Recently, a comprehensive global study led by UNSW Sydney has unveiled that mosses are not only beneficial to our gardens but also play a critical role in safeguarding the overall health of our planet, especially when flourishing on the topsoil. Mosses establish the foundation for plant growth in ecosystems across the world and have the potential to significantly contribute to mitigating climate change through their remarkable carbon capture capabilities.
The research, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, details the efforts of lead author Dr. David Eldridge and over 50 colleagues from international research institutions. They collected moss samples from more than 123 ecosystems worldwide, ranging from lush tropical rainforests to barren polar landscapes and arid deserts like those found in Australia. Astonishingly, the researchers discovered that mosses cover an astounding 9.4 million km2 in the surveyed environments, equivalent in size to Canada or China.
Dr. Eldridge, from UNSW’s School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, explains, “Originally, our interest was focused on the differences between undisturbed native vegetation systems and human-made systems such as parks and gardens—our green spaces. So, for this study, we aimed to delve deeper into the details of what mosses actually do in terms of providing essential services to the environment. To our amazement, we discovered that mosses were responsible for all these incredible benefits.”
It becomes evident that mosses are the lifeblood of plant ecosystems, benefiting neighboring plants in various ways. The researchers identified 24 ways in which moss provides advantages to soil and other plants. In soil patches where mosses were present, there was enhanced nutrient cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and even control of pathogens harmful to other plants and humans.
Moreover, the authors highlight the instrumental role of mosses in reabsorbing carbon dioxide. They estimated that, compared to bare soils devoid of moss, these ancient predecessors to plants facilitate the storage of 6.43 gigatonnes—or 6.43 billion tonnes—of carbon from the atmosphere. This level of carbon capture is comparable in magnitude to the carbon emissions resulting from agricultural practices such as land clearing and overgrazing.
Dr. Eldridge elaborates, “If we consider all the global emissions resulting from land use change, such as grazing, vegetation clearing, and agricultural activities, we believe that mosses are capable of capturing six times more carbon dioxide. So, it’s not a one-to-one ratio; mosses are six times more effective.”
The researchers suggest that the positive ecological functions of soil mosses are likely associated with their influence on surface microclimates, affecting soil temperature and moisture.
Understanding Moss: The Unsung Hero
Mosses differ from vascular plants as they possess roots and leaves, but their roots are unique, featuring root-like structures called rhizoids that anchor them to the soil surface.
Dr. Eldridge explains, “Mosses don’t possess the plumbing system, known as xylem and phloem, that facilitates water movement in ordinary plants. Instead, mosses survive by absorbing water from the atmosphere. Some mosses, like those in the arid regions of Australia, curl up when they become dry, but they don’t die—they remain in a state of suspended animation indefinitely. We have taken mosses out of storage after 100 years, sprayed them with water, and witnessed them come back to life. Unlike ordinary plants, their cells do not disintegrate.”
Dr. Eldridge emphasizes that without moss, our ecosystems would face significant challenges. He finds it remarkable that people often view moss as a problem in urban settings when it plays a vital role in nature.
“People often assume that if moss is growing on soil, it indicates sterility or something wrong with the soil. However, moss is actually beneficial in terms of soil chemistry, contributing more carbon and nitrogen. Additionally, it acts as a primary stabilizer in highly disturbed environments,” he states.
Dr. Eldridge further highlights the consequences of losing moss due to land clearing or natural disturbances, as it leads to soil erosion and the subsequent loss of nutrients and habitat for microbes, thereby destabilizing the entire ecosystem.
Even in disrupted ecosystems, moss can offer a lifeline. Dr. Eldridge points to research conducted in the vicinity of Mount St. Helens Volcano after a devastating eruption in the early 1980s. While most plant and animal life was eradicated near the eruption site, researchers observed that mosses were among the first organisms to return.
“The initial species to recolonize were cyanobacteria and blue-green algae, due to their primitive nature, followed by mosses,” he explains. “Our research demonstrates that areas with mosses exhibit higher levels of soil health, including increased carbon and nitrogen content. Mosses play a vital role in preparing the soil for the eventual return of trees, shrubs, and grasses, which ultimately outcompete mosses. Thus, mosses are the pioneers that initiate the restoration process and the first to leave.”
Future Endeavors
Future research aims to investigate whether urban mosses can create healthy soils as effectively as those found in natural areas.
“We are also eager to develop strategies for reintroducing mosses into degraded soils to expedite the regeneration process,” Dr. Eldridge affirms. “Mosses may serve as the perfect catalyst for jump-starting the recovery of severely degraded urban and natural area soils.”
Reference: “The global contribution of soil mosses to ecosystem services” by David J. Eldridge et al., Nature Geoscience, 1 May 2023, DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01170-x.
The study received funding from the British Ecological Society, the Hermon Slade Foundation, the Spanish Ministry of Science, the European Research Council, the AEI Project, the Program for Introducing Talents to Universities, the Slovenian Research Agency, and the NSF Biological Integration Institutes.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mosses
What role do mosses play in the health of the environment?
Mosses play a vital role in the health of the environment by contributing to ecosystem health, carbon capture, soil nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, pathogen control, and erosion prevention. They provide essential services that support the overall well-being of our planet.
Why are mosses important for combating soil erosion?
Mosses are crucial for combating soil erosion because they act as primary stabilizers in disturbed environments. Their presence helps hold the soil together, preventing erosion and the loss of nutrients. Mosses contribute to soil health, adding carbon and nitrogen, which ultimately benefits other plants and microorganisms in the ecosystem.
How do mosses contribute to carbon capture?
Mosses contribute to carbon capture by reabsorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Studies have shown that mosses can store significant amounts of carbon in their structures. Compared to bare soils without moss, moss-covered soils can store a substantial amount of carbon, helping to mitigate climate change by reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
What are some unique characteristics of mosses?
Mosses differ from vascular plants in various ways. They have roots and leaves, but their roots, known as rhizoids, anchor them to the soil surface. Unlike ordinary plants, mosses don’t possess a plumbing system for water transport. They rely on absorbing water from the atmosphere and can survive in a state of suspended animation when dry, with cells that don’t disintegrate like those of ordinary plants.
How can mosses contribute to the restoration of degraded soils?
Mosses can contribute to the restoration of degraded soils by playing a pioneering role. They enhance soil health, including carbon and nitrogen content, and stabilize the soil, preparing it for the return of trees, shrubs, and grasses. Mosses serve as catalysts for the regeneration process, facilitating the recovery of severely degraded urban and natural area soils.
More about Mosses
- Study by UNSW Sydney on the role of mosses in planetary health
- Research article in Nature Geoscience on the global contribution of soil mosses to ecosystem services
5 comments
Mosses, small but mighty! They’re like nature’s superheroes, fightin’ soil erosion and absorb carbon dioxide. We gotta protect ’em and let ’em do their thing for the health of our planet!
Mosses are like the unsung heroes of our environment! They’re just so important for soil health and keepin’ everything in balance. Let’s give them the love they deserve!
I never knew mosses were that special! They’re like the secret keepers of soil and climate change warriors. So cool that they can come back to life even after a 100 years! Nature always surprises us, doesn’t it?
Who knew mosses were so important in gardens? They’re not just annoying pests; they’re actually helpin’ our plants grow better! Next time I see moss in my garden, I’ll appreciate it more and let it do its thing.
wow mosses are so cool! They do so many important things like carbon captur and prevenin erosion. ppl should apreciate them more!