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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Ecological Benefits of Moss
Ecological Benefits of Moss
"Moss is great at retaining water after rainfall, and when things dry out, moss provides extra moisture that it slowly releases into the ecosystem. Moss also contributes to stabilizing soil. It reduces soil erosion in areas where it grows." - National Park Service: Moss
Animals Use Moss
Animals Use Moss
Very few herbivores eat moss because of the high fiber content, but "the pikas in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge rely on it for 60% of their diet" allowing them to survive in an environment with little nutritious plant life. - Science Shot: Eating Moss to Survive
Moss provides shelter and bedding for small animals such as slugs, woodlice, shrews, and mice. Birds often use soft plants including moss in their nests. Blackbirds are known to tug at moss to find the insects who live underneath.
Indicator Species
Indicator Species
Mosses often indicate acidic soil.
Threats to Moss
Threats to Moss
Habitat Loss & Disturbance
Habitat Loss & Disturbance
Deforestation
Deforestation
Old-growth forests have much richer biodiversity of mosses, while younger, artificially planted forests are generally lacking in healthy moss communities. We can't reasonably protect moss or other species via reforesting, but curbing or even stopping deforestation entirely can help slow the extinction rate of these vulnerable plants. We can then use the remaining old-growth forests as biological "banks" to help restore lost species to rewilding/reforesting projects.
In Canada, toilet paper companies pose a particularly great risk to species including mosses due to the overharvesting of old-wood forests.
Trampling
Trampling
Enjoying nature is important for our health, but foraging off path, hunting, tourism, and other activities can easily crush rare and delicate species including mosses and fireflies.
Ways to Protect Moss
Ways to Protect Moss
Take Extinction Off Your Plate
Take Extinction Off Your Plate
Deforestation-Free Food & Lifestyle Choices
Deforestation-Free Food & Lifestyle Choices
Click the Deforestation button to learn which industries cause the most deforestation, and read about the many ways we can combat deforestation via every day choices.
Click the Livestock & Deforestation button to better understand the impact livestock have on our forests.
When In Nature
When In Nature
"Whenever possible, avoid stepping on moss or other vegetation. Instead, stay on trails or walk along durable surfaces like rocks and sand." - National Park Service: Moss
Types of Moss
Types of Moss
There are eight scientific classes of moss:
Andreaeobryopsida
Andreaeopsida
Oedipodiopsida
Polytrichopsida
Sphagnopsida
Takakiopsida - has two species in it which until quite recently was considered as a liverwort.
Tetraphidopsida
Bryopsida
Bryopsida
This is the largest class of mosses, containing 95% of all moss species. It consists of approximately 11,500 species, common throughout the whole world.
Bryum Moss
Bryum Moss
Cushion Moss
Cushion Moss
Feather Moss
Feather Moss
Fern Moss
Fern Moss
Sheet Moss
Sheet Moss
Sphagnopsida
Sphagnopsida
Sphagnum and Peat moss are more-or-less the same organism, but refer to the part of the plant and it's current state. Sphagnum moss is the top, living layer of moss, while "peat" refers to the layer of decomposed moss and other plant matter which has been compressed.
Sphagnum Moss
Sphagnum Moss
"Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as sphagnum moss, also bog moss and quacker moss." - Wikipedia: Sphagnum
Peat Moss
Peat Moss
Is the decomposing layer of moss and other plant matter which is compressed in the wet underlayer. It has long been harvested and used for various purposes including (very inefficiently) as a gardening medium, which outrageously high environmental cost. Fortunately, more sustainable alternatives such as coconut choir are available and a growing number of peat harvesting and peat selling bans have been going into effect to protect the vital CO2 sinks that peat bogs represent.
Tools & Apps
Tools & Apps
Africa
Africa
Namibia
Namibia
Atlas of Alien Plants "Several species of alien plants in Namibia pose a threat to the natural vegetation. Mapping these species and obtaining basic information on them is a first step in assessing the level of threat and how best to tackle the problem."
South Africa
South Africa
Moss as Indicator Species by Location
Moss as Indicator Species by Location
Use these guides to determine local environmental health with lichens. Some of these guides focus on lichens only, while others are more diverse guides that also include lichens in general, or one or more specific lichen types.
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Scotland
Resources for Identifying Temperate Rainforests "This is a work-in-progress list of tools and resources for anyone looking for further information on how to identify temperate rainforests. I’ll continue adding to it over time.
If you’re visiting temperate rainforests, please remember they’re very rare habitats and must be treated with respect and awe! Follow the Countryside Code at all times, leave no trace, take only photos."
Organizations
Organizations
Maps
Maps
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Public Create Map of Britain's Lost Rainforests Scroll in to see index of hygrothermy of different areas. Use the layers to explore historical range, modern remnants, as well as the names and locations of liverworts, mosses, and lichens.
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