<?xml version="1.0"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en">
	<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/api.php?action=feedcontributions&amp;feedformat=atom&amp;user=Gacongi</id>
	<title>Soil Ecology Wiki - User contributions [en]</title>
	<link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/api.php?action=feedcontributions&amp;feedformat=atom&amp;user=Gacongi"/>
	<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php/Special:Contributions/Gacongi"/>
	<updated>2026-04-06T13:50:57Z</updated>
	<subtitle>User contributions</subtitle>
	<generator>MediaWiki 1.43.0</generator>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg&amp;diff=13376</id>
		<title>File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg&amp;diff=13376"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T18:59:46Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: Gacongi uploaded a new version of File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13313</id>
		<title>Algae</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13313"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T17:46:41Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: /* Description and Characteristic */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Algae is a group of photosynthetic [[organisms]] found within aquatic and terrestrial environments. These organisms can provide benefits or damages, depending on the environment and nutrients available within. &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soil_Algae.jpg|400px|thumb|left|Close up photo of algae]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Description and Characteristic ==&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
Algae are a group of cells that form in the same uniformity as vascular plants in either matted/ branched colonies, or can be seen in leafy or blade forms. The word &amp;quot;algae&amp;quot; comes from macroalgae, along with diverse group of microorganisms know as microalgae. Microalgae refers to single celled organisms that are typically found in soils, when macroalgae are multicellular organisms found in aquatic ecosystems. There are known to be about 30,000 to 1 million species of algae including species from fossilized algae. [1][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae can come in many different colors based on the type of algae. Most known colors are blue and green which can indicate Cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae or Chlorophyta known as green algae. These two are the most common to be found in [[soil]]. For Chlorophyta the color ranges in shades of green from yellow-green to blackish-green depending on the levels of chlorophyll concentrations. [2][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae&#039;s reproduction varies based on the type of algae it is. For Cyanobacteria and general algae, it involves cell division followed by cell separation for unicellular organisms. For multicellular organisms can involve either asexually or sexually reproduction. Eukaryotic microalgae reproduce sexually and complete genome sequences for some algae in which sexual production is not observed to show that organisms do have genetic apparatus needed for meiosis, which is essential. The sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes and fertilization in moist/wet areas. [3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat and Environment ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg|1100px|thumb|left|]]&lt;br /&gt;
Algae are known to be found in soils, around tree trunks rocks and within [[protozoans]], hydras and or [[lichen]] fungi. They can also sometimes be found on the surface of snow.[2] Algae also depend on photosynthesis for areas to live, areas with abundant sunlight make this easier. Algae will form due to poor soil nutrients, excessive moisture in soil, temperatures cooling, and poor drainage.[4] But algae is beneficial to soil because they contribute to soil formation and the stability of mature soils. Algae is also nitrogen fixing. Algae contributes to nitrogen in the soil through biological nitrogen fixation. Another benefit is the generation of [[Organic Matter|organic matter]] from inorganic substances. They also provide food for bacteria and [[invertebrates]]. Algae can also help [[soil erosion]] by producing extracellular polysaccharides and forming water stable aggregates which helps reduce wind erosion.[5]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Sources ==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Barsanti, L., and Paolo Gualtieri. Algae : Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Third edition., CRC Press, 2023.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Algae Classification | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany/research/algae/algae-classification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Raven, J. A., and M. Giordano. 2014. Algae. Current Biology 24:R590–R595.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Algae | UC [[Agriculture]] and Natural Resources. 2025, February 26. https://ucanr.edu/county-office/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/algae.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[5] Zancan, S., R. Trevisan, and M. G. Paoletti. 2006. Soil algae composition under different agro-ecosystems in North-Eastern Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp;amp; Environment 112:1–12.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13309</id>
		<title>Algae</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13309"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T17:42:01Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Algae is a group of photosynthetic [[organisms]] found within aquatic and terrestrial environments. These organisms can provide benefits or damages, depending on the environment and nutrients available within. &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soil_Algae.jpg|400px|thumb|left|Close up photo of algae]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Description and Characteristic ==&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
Algae are a group of cells that form in the same uniformity as vascular plants in either matted/ branched colonies, or can be seen in leafy or blade forms. The word &amp;quot;algae&amp;quot; comes from macroalgae, along with diverse group of microorganisms know as microalgae. There are known to be about 30,000 to 1 million species of algae including species from fossilized algae. [1][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae can come in many different colors based on the type of algae. Most known colors are blue and green which can indicate Cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae or Chlorophyta known as green algae. These two are the most common to be found in [[soil]]. For Chlorophyta the color ranges in shades of green from yellow-green to blackish-green depending on the levels of chlorophyll concentrations. [2][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae&#039;s reproduction varies based on the type of algae it is. For Cyanobacteria and general algae, it involves cell division followed by cell separation for unicellular organisms. For multicellular organisms can involve either asexually or sexually reproduction. Eukaryotic microalgae reproduce sexually and complete genome sequences for some algae in which sexual production is not observed to show that organisms do have genetic apparatus needed for meiosis, which is essential. The sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes and fertilization in moist/wet areas. [3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat and Environment ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg|1100px|thumb|left|]]&lt;br /&gt;
Algae are known to be found in soils, around tree trunks rocks and within [[protozoans]], hydras and or [[lichen]] fungi. They can also sometimes be found on the surface of snow.[2] Algae also depend on photosynthesis for areas to live, areas with abundant sunlight make this easier. Algae will form due to poor soil nutrients, excessive moisture in soil, temperatures cooling, and poor drainage.[4] But algae is beneficial to soil because they contribute to soil formation and the stability of mature soils. Algae is also nitrogen fixing. Algae contributes to nitrogen in the soil through biological nitrogen fixation. Another benefit is the generation of [[Organic Matter|organic matter]] from inorganic substances. They also provide food for bacteria and [[invertebrates]]. Algae can also help [[soil erosion]] by producing extracellular polysaccharides and forming water stable aggregates which helps reduce wind erosion.[5]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Sources ==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Barsanti, L., and Paolo Gualtieri. Algae : Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Third edition., CRC Press, 2023.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Algae Classification | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany/research/algae/algae-classification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Raven, J. A., and M. Giordano. 2014. Algae. Current Biology 24:R590–R595.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Algae | UC [[Agriculture]] and Natural Resources. 2025, February 26. https://ucanr.edu/county-office/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/algae.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[5] Zancan, S., R. Trevisan, and M. G. Paoletti. 2006. Soil algae composition under different agro-ecosystems in North-Eastern Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp;amp; Environment 112:1–12.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg&amp;diff=13308</id>
		<title>File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg&amp;diff=13308"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T17:40:47Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13305</id>
		<title>Algae</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13305"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T17:40:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Algae is a group of photosynthetic [[organisms]] found within aquatic and terrestrial environments. These organisms can provide benefits or damages, depending on the environment and nutrients available within. &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soil_Algae.jpg|400px|thumb|left|Close up photo of algae]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Description and Characteristic ==&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
Algae are a group of cells that form in the same uniformity as vascular plants in either matted/ branched colonies, or can be seen in leafy or blade forms. The word &amp;quot;algae&amp;quot; comes from macroalgae, along with diverse group of microorganisms know as microalgae. There are known to be about 30,000 to 1 million species of algae including species from fossilized algae. [1][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae can come in many different colors based on the type of algae. Most known colors are blue and green which can indicate Cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae or Chlorophyta known as green algae. These two are the most common to be found in [[soil]]. For Chlorophyta the color ranges in shades of green from yellow-green to blackish-green depending on the levels of chlorophyll concentrations. [2][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae&#039;s reproduction varies based on the type of algae it is. For Cyanobacteria and general algae, it involves cell division followed by cell separation for unicellular organisms. For multicellular organisms can involve either asexually or sexually reproduction. Eukaryotic microalgae reproduce sexually and complete genome sequences for some algae in which sexual production is not observed to show that organisms do have genetic apparatus needed for meiosis, which is essential. The sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes and fertilization in moist/wet areas. [3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat and Environment ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soilwoodalgae.jpg|900px|thumb|left|]]&lt;br /&gt;
Algae are known to be found in soils, around tree trunks rocks and within [[protozoans]], hydras and or [[lichen]] fungi. They can also sometimes be found on the surface of snow.[2] Algae also depend on photosynthesis for areas to live, areas with abundant sunlight make this easier. Algae will form due to poor soil nutrients, excessive moisture in soil, temperatures cooling, and poor drainage.[4] But algae is beneficial to soil because they contribute to soil formation and the stability of mature soils. Algae is also nitrogen fixing. Algae contributes to nitrogen in the soil through biological nitrogen fixation. Another benefit is the generation of [[Organic Matter|organic matter]] from inorganic substances. They also provide food for bacteria and [[invertebrates]]. Algae can also help [[soil erosion]] by producing extracellular polysaccharides and forming water stable aggregates which helps reduce wind erosion.[5]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Sources ==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Barsanti, L., and Paolo Gualtieri. Algae : Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Third edition., CRC Press, 2023.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Algae Classification | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany/research/algae/algae-classification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Raven, J. A., and M. Giordano. 2014. Algae. Current Biology 24:R590–R595.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Algae | UC [[Agriculture]] and Natural Resources. 2025, February 26. https://ucanr.edu/county-office/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/algae.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[5] Zancan, S., R. Trevisan, and M. G. Paoletti. 2006. Soil algae composition under different agro-ecosystems in North-Eastern Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp;amp; Environment 112:1–12.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soilwood.jpeg&amp;diff=13297</id>
		<title>File:Soilwood.jpeg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soilwood.jpeg&amp;diff=13297"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T17:37:58Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13295</id>
		<title>Algae</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=13295"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T17:37:33Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Algae is a group of photosynthetic [[organisms]] found within aquatic and terrestrial environments. These organisms can provide benefits or damages, depending on the environment and nutrients available within. &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soil_Algae.jpg|400px|thumb|left|Close up photo of algae]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Description and Characteristic ==&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
Algae are a group of cells that form in the same uniformity as vascular plants in either matted/ branched colonies, or can be seen in leafy or blade forms. The word &amp;quot;algae&amp;quot; comes from macroalgae, along with diverse group of microorganisms know as microalgae. There are known to be about 30,000 to 1 million species of algae including species from fossilized algae. [1][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae can come in many different colors based on the type of algae. Most known colors are blue and green which can indicate Cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae or Chlorophyta known as green algae. These two are the most common to be found in [[soil]]. For Chlorophyta the color ranges in shades of green from yellow-green to blackish-green depending on the levels of chlorophyll concentrations. [2][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae&#039;s reproduction varies based on the type of algae it is. For Cyanobacteria and general algae, it involves cell division followed by cell separation for unicellular organisms. For multicellular organisms can involve either asexually or sexually reproduction. Eukaryotic microalgae reproduce sexually and complete genome sequences for some algae in which sexual production is not observed to show that organisms do have genetic apparatus needed for meiosis, which is essential. The sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes and fertilization in moist/wet areas. [3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat and Environment ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soilwood.jpg|900px|thumb|left|]]&lt;br /&gt;
Algae are known to be found in soils, around tree trunks rocks and within [[protozoans]], hydras and or [[lichen]] fungi. They can also sometimes be found on the surface of snow.[2] Algae also depend on photosynthesis for areas to live, areas with abundant sunlight make this easier. Algae will form due to poor soil nutrients, excessive moisture in soil, temperatures cooling, and poor drainage.[4] But algae is beneficial to soil because they contribute to soil formation and the stability of mature soils. Algae is also nitrogen fixing. Algae contributes to nitrogen in the soil through biological nitrogen fixation. Another benefit is the generation of [[Organic Matter|organic matter]] from inorganic substances. They also provide food for bacteria and [[invertebrates]]. Algae can also help [[soil erosion]] by producing extracellular polysaccharides and forming water stable aggregates which helps reduce wind erosion.[5]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Sources ==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Barsanti, L., and Paolo Gualtieri. Algae : Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Third edition., CRC Press, 2023.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Algae Classification | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany/research/algae/algae-classification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Raven, J. A., and M. Giordano. 2014. Algae. Current Biology 24:R590–R595.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Algae | UC [[Agriculture]] and Natural Resources. 2025, February 26. https://ucanr.edu/county-office/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/algae.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[5] Zancan, S., R. Trevisan, and M. G. Paoletti. 2006. Soil algae composition under different agro-ecosystems in North-Eastern Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp;amp; Environment 112:1–12.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=13083</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=13083"/>
		<updated>2025-04-30T01:30:11Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2] [5].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1][5]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 1145px | thumb|right|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[5] Phillips, Christopher A., et al. “Northern Slimy Salamander: Plethodon Glutinosus (Green, 1818).” Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois, University of Illinois Press, 2022, pp. 90-.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12724</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12724"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:57:25Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 1145px | thumb|right|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12723</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12723"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:53:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 1200px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12722</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12722"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:52:49Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 1200px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12721</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12721"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:51:25Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 1200px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12720</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12720"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:50:26Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 800px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12719</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12719"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:49:58Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 300px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12718</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12718"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:48:21Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg| 1300px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg&amp;diff=12717</id>
		<title>File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg&amp;diff=12717"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:47:58Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern_Slimy_Salamander.jpeg&amp;diff=12716</id>
		<title>File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern_Slimy_Salamander.jpeg&amp;diff=12716"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:46:33Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12715</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12715"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:45:28Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300px | thumb | left| Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg|1200px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern-Salamanders-Eggs.jpg&amp;diff=12714</id>
		<title>File:Northern-Salamanders-Eggs.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern-Salamanders-Eggs.jpg&amp;diff=12714"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:43:51Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern_Slimy_Salamander.jpg&amp;diff=12713</id>
		<title>File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Northern_Slimy_Salamander.jpg&amp;diff=12713"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:42:25Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12712</id>
		<title>Northern Slimy Salamander</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Northern_Slimy_Salamander&amp;diff=12712"/>
		<updated>2025-04-18T00:41:51Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: Created page with &amp;quot; == General Description ==   Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)  The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These salamanders range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of arou...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
== General Description ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern Slimy Salamander.jpeg| 300 px | thumb | Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) ]]&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is a member of the &amp;quot;lungless&amp;quot; salamander family (Plethodontidae) known for its dark black or bluish-black body that is covered with white or silver spots scattered along its back and side. These [[salamanders]] range in size between 12 to 17 centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 5 years. Along with the tail to be cylindrical shape to distinguish the species between blue-spotted salamanders and Jefferson salamanders [1] [2].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Northern Slimy Salamanders are found in old growth forests in moist environments such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They prefer areas that have consistent moisture and to be covered, generally found near hillsides or streams. [2] [1]. The salamanders move about underground using insect and animal burrows. [3] Geographically northern slimy salamanders are found within the eastern and central United States [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Diet ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamanders consist of mainly ants, beetles, sowbugs, and earthworms [3]. They typically hunt at night by relying on their sense of smell. The salamanders contribute to the environment in this way by controlling the insect populations within the forests ecosystems [1]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Northern Slimy Salamanders mating consists of courtship dances from males. Prior to the courtship dance the chin, feet, and white pots on the males will turn pink and then later a bright shade of red. Breeding between them occurs during the late spring time. Eggs can be deposited from that time till late summer.  Eggs are laid in moist areas. The eggs hatch around 3 months after deposited. Juveniles have no aquatic stage and head straight for adulthood meaning the species is completely terrestrial. Females do not mature sexually until two years old, but can not lay eggs until three years old. The same goes with males breeding [3]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Northern-Salamander-Eggs.jpg|1200 px | thumb|left|Northern Slimy Salamander with eggs at Toledo Zoo [4]]]&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Defense ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When the salamanders are threatened, they will lash out their tail and secret a sticky glue substance. This is where the salamanders get their name from.  If humans were to touch the salamanders it is difficult to remove from clothes and hands but for [[animals]] it creates a jaw binding affect. This means that if the predator gets the substance stuck in their mouth it prevents their ability to chew or swallow [2]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Northern slimy salamander. 2025, February 14. https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-slimy-salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Northern Slimy Salamander. (n.d.). https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Northern-Slimy-Salamander.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Yung, J. (n.d.). Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander). https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Plethodon_glutinosus/.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Humble creatures in the spotlight at Toledo Zoo. 2009, August 31. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/08/31/Humble-creatures-in-the-spotlight-at-Toledo-Zoo/stories/200908310012.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=12197</id>
		<title>Algae</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=12197"/>
		<updated>2025-03-31T03:21:31Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: /* Reproduction */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Algae is a group of photosynthetic [[organisms]] found within aquatic and terrestrial environments. These organisms can provide benefits or damages, depending on the environment and nutrients available within. &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soil_Algae.jpg|400px|thumb|left|caption]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Description and Characteristic ==&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
Algae are a group of cells that form in the same uniformity as vascular plants in either matted/ branched colonies, or can be seen in leafy or blade forms. The word &amp;quot;algae&amp;quot; comes from macroalgae, along with diverse group of microorganisms know as microalgae. There are known to be about 30,000 to 1 million species of algae including species from fossilized algae. [1][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae can come in many different colors based on the type of algae. Most known colors are blue and green which can indicate Cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae or Chlorophyta known as green algae. These two are the most common to be found in [[soil]]. For Chlorophyta the color ranges in shades of green from yellow-green to blackish-green depending on the levels of chlorophyll concentrations. [2][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae&#039;s reproduction varies based on the type of algae it is. For Cyanobacteria and general algae, it involves cell division followed by cell separation for unicellular organisms. For multicellular organisms can involve either asexually or sexually reproduction. Eukaryotic microalgae reproduce sexually and complete genome sequences for some algae in which sexual production is not observed to show that organisms do have genetic apparatus needed for meiosis, which is essential. The sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes and fertilization in moist/wet areas. [3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat and Environment ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae are known to be found in soils, around tree trunks rocks and within [[protozoans]], hydras and or [[lichen]] fungi. They can also sometimes be found on the surface of snow.[2] Algae also depend on photosynthesis for areas to live, areas with abundant sunlight make this easier. Algae will form due to poor soil nutrients, excessive moisture in soil, temperatures cooling, and poor drainage.[4] But algae is beneficial to soil because they contribute to soil formation and the stability of mature soils. Algae is also nitrogen fixing. Algae contributes to nitrogen in the soil through biological nitrogen fixation. Another benefit is the generation of [[Organic Matter|organic matter]] from inorganic substances. They also provide food for bacteria and [[invertebrates]]. Algae can also help [[soil erosion]] by producing extracellular polysaccharides and forming water stable aggregates which helps reduce wind erosion.[5]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Sources ==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Barsanti, L., and Paolo Gualtieri. Algae : Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Third edition., CRC Press, 2023.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Algae Classification | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany/research/algae/algae-classification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Raven, J. A., and M. Giordano. 2014. Algae. Current Biology 24:R590–R595.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Algae | UC [[Agriculture]] and Natural Resources. 2025, February 26. https://ucanr.edu/county-office/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/algae.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[5] Zancan, S., R. Trevisan, and M. G. Paoletti. 2006. Soil algae composition under different agro-ecosystems in North-Eastern Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp;amp; Environment 112:1–12.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soil_Algae.jpg&amp;diff=12196</id>
		<title>File:Soil Algae.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Soil_Algae.jpg&amp;diff=12196"/>
		<updated>2025-03-31T03:15:07Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=12195</id>
		<title>Algae</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Algae&amp;diff=12195"/>
		<updated>2025-03-31T03:13:03Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: Created page with &amp;quot;Algae is a group of photosynthetic organisms found within aquatic and terrestrial environments. These organisms can provide benefits or damages, depending on the environment and nutrients available within.  caption   == Description and Characteristic ==   Algae are a group of cells that form in the same uniformity as vascular plants in either matted/ branched colonies, or can be seen in leafy or blade forms. The word &amp;quot;algae&amp;quot; comes...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Algae is a group of photosynthetic [[organisms]] found within aquatic and terrestrial environments. These organisms can provide benefits or damages, depending on the environment and nutrients available within. &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Soil_Algae.jpg|400px|thumb|left|caption]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Description and Characteristic ==&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
Algae are a group of cells that form in the same uniformity as vascular plants in either matted/ branched colonies, or can be seen in leafy or blade forms. The word &amp;quot;algae&amp;quot; comes from macroalgae, along with diverse group of microorganisms know as microalgae. There are known to be about 30,000 to 1 million species of algae including species from fossilized algae. [1][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae can come in many different colors based on the type of algae. Most known colors are blue and green which can indicate Cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae or Chlorophyta known as green algae. These two are the most common to be found in [[soil]]. For Chlorophyta the color ranges in shades of green from yellow-green to blackish-green depending on the levels of chlorophyll concentrations. [2][3]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Reproduction ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae&#039;s reproduction varies based on the type of algae it is. For Cyanobacteria and general algae involves cell division followed by cell separation for unicellular organisms. For multicellular organisms can involve either asexually or sexually. Eukaryotic microalgae reproduce sexually and complete genome sequences for some algae in which sexual production is not observed to show that organisms do have genetic apparatus needed for meiosis, which is essential. The sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes and fertilization in moist/wet areas. [3] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Habitat and Environment ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Algae are known to be found in soils, around tree trunks rocks and within [[protozoans]], hydras and or [[lichen]] fungi. They can also sometimes be found on the surface of snow.[2] Algae also depend on photosynthesis for areas to live, areas with abundant sunlight make this easier. Algae will form due to poor soil nutrients, excessive moisture in soil, temperatures cooling, and poor drainage.[4] But algae is beneficial to soil because they contribute to soil formation and the stability of mature soils. Algae is also nitrogen fixing. Algae contributes to nitrogen in the soil through biological nitrogen fixation. Another benefit is the generation of organic matter from inorganic substances. They also provide food for bacteria and [[invertebrates]]. Algae can also help [[soil erosion]] by producing extracellular polysaccharides and forming water stable aggregates which helps reduce wind erosion.[5]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Sources ==&lt;br /&gt;
[1] Barsanti, L., and Paolo Gualtieri. Algae : Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Third edition., CRC Press, 2023.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[2] Algae Classification | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany/research/algae/algae-classification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[3] Raven, J. A., and M. Giordano. 2014. Algae. Current Biology 24:R590–R595.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[4] Algae | UC [[Agriculture]] and Natural Resources. 2025, February 26. https://ucanr.edu/county-office/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/algae.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[5] Zancan, S., R. Trevisan, and M. G. Paoletti. 2006. Soil algae composition under different agro-ecosystems in North-Eastern Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp;amp; Environment 112:1–12.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Up_close_moss.jpg&amp;diff=11560</id>
		<title>File:Up close moss.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Up_close_moss.jpg&amp;diff=11560"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:47:34Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11559</id>
		<title>Moss</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11559"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:39:56Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;&lt;br /&gt;
|+ !colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|&#039;&#039;&#039;Bryophyta&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |[[File:Moss.jpg |200px|thumb|left| Sphagnum &amp;quot;peat moss&amp;quot;]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Phylum:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Classes:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ITIS&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&amp;amp;search_value=977384#null &amp;quot;Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;ITIS&#039;&#039; USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature&amp;quot;, &#039;&#039;USGS&#039;&#039;, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
==Physical Characteristics==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]&lt;br /&gt;
===Structure===&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; &amp;gt;Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. &#039;&#039;Biology of plants&#039;&#039;. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). &#039;&#039;Flora of North America&#039;&#039; 27.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. The species are non-vascular, due to lacking lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissues called xylem and phloem. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. &#039;&#039;Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London&#039;&#039; Series B: &#039;&#039;Biological Sciences&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;355&#039;&#039;&#039;:795–813.&lt;br /&gt;
).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Life Cycle===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses are known to reproduce in many different ways, but the most common way is by their spores to spread by wind dispersal. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores. Similar to vascular plants, mosses exhibits alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Cove2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. &#039;&#039;Annual Review of Plant Biology&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;57&#039;&#039;&#039;:497–520.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Reski 1998&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. &#039;&#039;Botanica Acta&#039;&#039; 111:1–15.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Environmental Role==&lt;br /&gt;
:Mosses play a vital role to the environment through their purpose of absorption. By having this big of a role in the ecosystem, absorption helps to combat erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]].Mosses living situation is beneficial to the environment because they can live anywhere, including areas with extreme conditions such as the Artic, deserts, and tropical regions. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Crooks2021&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, &#039;&#039;Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute&#039;&#039;. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Turetsky2012&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11558</id>
		<title>Moss</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11558"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:32:00Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;&lt;br /&gt;
|+ !colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|&#039;&#039;&#039;Bryophyta&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |[[File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg |200px|thumb|left| Sphagnum &amp;quot;peat moss&amp;quot;]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Phylum:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Classes:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ITIS&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&amp;amp;search_value=977384#null &amp;quot;Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;ITIS&#039;&#039; USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature&amp;quot;, &#039;&#039;USGS&#039;&#039;, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
==Physical Characteristics==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]&lt;br /&gt;
===Structure===&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; &amp;gt;Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. &#039;&#039;Biology of plants&#039;&#039;. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). &#039;&#039;Flora of North America&#039;&#039; 27.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. The species are non-vascular, due to lacking lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissues called xylem and phloem. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. &#039;&#039;Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London&#039;&#039; Series B: &#039;&#039;Biological Sciences&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;355&#039;&#039;&#039;:795–813.&lt;br /&gt;
).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Life Cycle===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses are known to reproduce in many different ways, but the most common way is by their spores to spread by wind dispersal. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores. Similar to vascular plants, mosses exhibits alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Cove2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. &#039;&#039;Annual Review of Plant Biology&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;57&#039;&#039;&#039;:497–520.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Reski 1998&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. &#039;&#039;Botanica Acta&#039;&#039; 111:1–15.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Environmental Role==&lt;br /&gt;
:Mosses play a vital role to the environment through their purpose of absorption. By having this big of a role in the ecosystem, absorption helps to combat erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]].Mosses living situation is beneficial to the environment because they can live anywhere, including areas with extreme conditions such as the Artic, deserts, and tropical regions. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Crooks2021&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, &#039;&#039;Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute&#039;&#039;. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Turetsky2012&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11557</id>
		<title>Moss</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11557"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:30:12Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;&lt;br /&gt;
|+ !colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|&#039;&#039;&#039;Bryophyta&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |[[File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Phylum:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Classes:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ITIS&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&amp;amp;search_value=977384#null &amp;quot;Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;ITIS&#039;&#039; USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature&amp;quot;, &#039;&#039;USGS&#039;&#039;, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
==Physical Characteristics==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]&lt;br /&gt;
===Structure===&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; &amp;gt;Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. &#039;&#039;Biology of plants&#039;&#039;. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). &#039;&#039;Flora of North America&#039;&#039; 27.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. The species are non-vascular, due to lacking lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissues called xylem and phloem. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. &#039;&#039;Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London&#039;&#039; Series B: &#039;&#039;Biological Sciences&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;355&#039;&#039;&#039;:795–813.&lt;br /&gt;
).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Life Cycle===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses are known to reproduce in many different ways, but the most common way is by their spores to spread by wind dispersal. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores. Similar to vascular plants, mosses exhibits alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Cove2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. &#039;&#039;Annual Review of Plant Biology&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;57&#039;&#039;&#039;:497–520.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Reski 1998&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. &#039;&#039;Botanica Acta&#039;&#039; 111:1–15.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Environmental Role==&lt;br /&gt;
:Mosses play a vital role to the environment through their purpose of absorption. By having this big of a role in the ecosystem, absorption helps to combat erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]].Mosses living situation is beneficial to the environment because they can live anywhere, including areas with extreme conditions such as the Artic, deserts, and tropical regions. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Crooks2021&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, &#039;&#039;Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute&#039;&#039;. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Turetsky2012&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11556</id>
		<title>Moss</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11556"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:15:06Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;&lt;br /&gt;
|+ !colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|&#039;&#039;&#039;Bryophyta&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |[[File: Sphagnum Moss.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Phylum:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Classes:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ITIS&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&amp;amp;search_value=977384#null &amp;quot;Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;ITIS&#039;&#039; USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature&amp;quot;, &#039;&#039;USGS&#039;&#039;, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
==Physical Characteristics==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]&lt;br /&gt;
===Structure===&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; &amp;gt;Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. &#039;&#039;Biology of plants&#039;&#039;. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). &#039;&#039;Flora of North America&#039;&#039; 27.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. The species are non-vascular, due to lacking lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissues called xylem and phloem. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. &#039;&#039;Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London&#039;&#039; Series B: &#039;&#039;Biological Sciences&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;355&#039;&#039;&#039;:795–813.&lt;br /&gt;
).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Life Cycle===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses are known to reproduce in many different ways, but the most common way is by their spores to spread by wind dispersal. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores. Similar to vascular plants, mosses exhibits alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Cove2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. &#039;&#039;Annual Review of Plant Biology&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;57&#039;&#039;&#039;:497–520.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Reski 1998&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. &#039;&#039;Botanica Acta&#039;&#039; 111:1–15.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Environmental Role==&lt;br /&gt;
:Mosses play a vital role to the environment through their purpose of absorption. By having this big of a role in the ecosystem, absorption helps to combat erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]].Mosses living situation is beneficial to the environment because they can live anywhere, including areas with extreme conditions such as the Artic, deserts, and tropical regions. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Crooks2021&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, &#039;&#039;Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute&#039;&#039;. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Turetsky2012&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11555</id>
		<title>Moss</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11555"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:12:11Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;&lt;br /&gt;
|+ !colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|&#039;&#039;&#039;Bryophyta&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |[[File: Sphagnum Moss.jpg|300px|thumb|center|&#039;&#039;Sphagnum&#039;&#039; peat moss]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Phylum:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Classes:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ITIS&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&amp;amp;search_value=977384#null &amp;quot;Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;ITIS&#039;&#039; USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature&amp;quot;, &#039;&#039;USGS&#039;&#039;, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
==Physical Characteristics==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]&lt;br /&gt;
===Structure===&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; &amp;gt;Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. &#039;&#039;Biology of plants&#039;&#039;. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). &#039;&#039;Flora of North America&#039;&#039; 27.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. The species are non-vascular, due to lacking lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissues called xylem and phloem. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. &#039;&#039;Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London&#039;&#039; Series B: &#039;&#039;Biological Sciences&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;355&#039;&#039;&#039;:795–813.&lt;br /&gt;
).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Life Cycle===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses are known to reproduce in many different ways, but the most common way is by their spores to spread by wind dispersal. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores. Similar to vascular plants, mosses exhibits alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Cove2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. &#039;&#039;Annual Review of Plant Biology&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;57&#039;&#039;&#039;:497–520.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Reski 1998&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. &#039;&#039;Botanica Acta&#039;&#039; 111:1–15.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Environmental Role==&lt;br /&gt;
:Mosses play a vital role to the environment through their purpose of absorption. By having this big of a role in the ecosystem, absorption helps to combat erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]].Mosses living situation is beneficial to the environment because they can live anywhere, including areas with extreme conditions such as the Artic, deserts, and tropical regions. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Crooks2021&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, &#039;&#039;Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute&#039;&#039;. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Turetsky2012&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11554</id>
		<title>Moss</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11554"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:08:33Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: /* Life Cycle */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;&lt;br /&gt;
|+ !colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|&#039;&#039;&#039;Bryophyta&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |[[File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg|300px|thumb|center|&#039;&#039;Sphagnum&#039;&#039; peat moss]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Phylum:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Classes:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ITIS&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&amp;amp;search_value=977384#null &amp;quot;Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;ITIS&#039;&#039; USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature&amp;quot;, &#039;&#039;USGS&#039;&#039;, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
==Physical Characteristics==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]&lt;br /&gt;
===Structure===&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; &amp;gt;Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. &#039;&#039;Biology of plants&#039;&#039;. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). &#039;&#039;Flora of North America&#039;&#039; 27.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. The species are non-vascular, due to lacking lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissues called xylem and phloem. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. &#039;&#039;Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London&#039;&#039; Series B: &#039;&#039;Biological Sciences&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;355&#039;&#039;&#039;:795–813.&lt;br /&gt;
).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Life Cycle===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses are known to reproduce in many different ways, but the most common way is by their spores to spread by wind dispersal. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores. Similar to vascular plants, mosses exhibits alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Cove2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. &#039;&#039;Annual Review of Plant Biology&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;57&#039;&#039;&#039;:497–520.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Reski 1998&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. &#039;&#039;Botanica Acta&#039;&#039; 111:1–15.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Environmental Role==&lt;br /&gt;
:Mosses play a vital role to the environment through their purpose of absorption. By having this big of a role in the ecosystem, absorption helps to combat erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]].Mosses living situation is beneficial to the environment because they can live anywhere, including areas with extreme conditions such as the Artic, deserts, and tropical regions. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Crooks2021&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, &#039;&#039;Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute&#039;&#039;. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Turetsky2012&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_moss.jpg&amp;diff=11553</id>
		<title>File:Sphagnum moss.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_moss.jpg&amp;diff=11553"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:07:34Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;[[File:sphagnum moss.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Caption]]&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
Sphagnum Moss&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_moss.jpg&amp;diff=11552</id>
		<title>File:Sphagnum moss.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_moss.jpg&amp;diff=11552"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:06:46Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: Sphagnum Moss&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
Sphagnum Moss&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_cuspidatum_.jpg&amp;diff=11551</id>
		<title>File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_cuspidatum_.jpg&amp;diff=11551"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:05:49Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: Gacongi reverted File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg to an old version&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_cuspidatum_.jpg&amp;diff=11550</id>
		<title>File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Sphagnum_cuspidatum_.jpg&amp;diff=11550"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T02:00:20Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: Gacongi uploaded a new version of File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11549</id>
		<title>Moss</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Moss&amp;diff=11549"/>
		<updated>2025-03-07T01:59:22Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Gacongi: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;&lt;br /&gt;
|+ !colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|&#039;&#039;&#039;Bryophyta&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |[[File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg|300px|thumb|center|&#039;&#039;Sphagnum&#039;&#039; peat moss]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Phylum:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
!style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em; |Classes:&lt;br /&gt;
|style=&amp;quot;min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ITIS&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&amp;amp;search_value=977384#null &amp;quot;Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;ITIS&#039;&#039; USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature&amp;quot;, &#039;&#039;USGS&#039;&#039;, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
==Physical Characteristics==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]&lt;br /&gt;
===Structure===&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; &amp;gt;Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. &#039;&#039;Biology of plants&#039;&#039;. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). &#039;&#039;Flora of North America&#039;&#039; 27.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. The species are non-vascular, due to lacking lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissues called xylem and phloem. &amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. &#039;&#039;Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London&#039;&#039; Series B: &#039;&#039;Biological Sciences&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;355&#039;&#039;&#039;:795–813.&lt;br /&gt;
).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Life Cycle===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mosses are known to reproduce in many different ways, but the most common way is by their spores to spread by wind dispersal. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores. Similar to vascular plants, mosses exhibits alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Cove2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. &#039;&#039;Annual Review of Plant Biology&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;&#039;57&#039;&#039;&#039;:497–520.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Reski 1998&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. &#039;&#039;Botanica Acta&#039;&#039; 111:1–15.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raven2013&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Environmental Role==&lt;br /&gt;
:Mosses play a vital role to the environment through their purpose of absorption. By having this big of a role in the ecosystem, absorption helps to combat erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]].Mosses living situation is beneficial to the environment because they can live anywhere, including areas with extreme conditions such as the Artic, deserts, and tropical regions. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;McCune 2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt; McCune , B., and K. Whitbeck. 2016, May 24. Living in the Land of Mosses. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/living-land-mosses. &amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Crooks2021&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, &#039;&#039;Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute&#039;&#039;. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. &amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Turetsky2012&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Gacongi</name></author>
	</entry>
</feed>