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#*Bryidae
#*Bryidae


: Mosses are a group of small, non-vascular, plants with a cosmopolitan distribution belonging to the taxonomical division Bryophyta. They are typically 0.2–10 cm (0.1–3.9 in) tall and have a waxy cuticle to prevent water loss. Mosses can commonly be found forming dense mats in wet/shady habitats. Some species can be extremely resilient and tolerate many toxins, which is why they can also be found in urban brownfields, growing in the cracks of roadways, or on the sides of buildings. Moss offers a food source and habitat for macro and micro invertebrates. They create microhabitats that are essential to some species of soil [[arthropods]]. [10]
: Mosses are a group of small, non-vascular, plants that are classified as Bryophytes. They are typically 0.2–10 cm tall and reproduce via spores. Mosses can commonly be found forming dense mats in wet and/or shady habitats. Some species are extremely resilient and tolerate many toxins, which is why they can also be found in a variety of areas including: urban brownfields, the cracks of roadways, and on the sides of buildings. Mosses provide a food source and habitat for macro and micro invertebrates and create microhabitats that are essential to some species of soil [[arthropods]]. [10]


==Structure==
==Structure==
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==Life Cycle==
==Life Cycle==
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle|thumb|center|600px]]
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle|thumb|center|600px]]
:Moss have two parts to their life cycle. The first part, called ''sporophyte'', is the stage where spores are produced. The spores are carried by wind to populate other areas. The second stage, called ''gametophyte'', is after the spores found a place to grow. They develop male and female sex organs, which allow for reproduction. The male sex organ is an antheridial head, which contains sperm. The female sex organ is called an archegonial head, and each finger contains one egg. When it rains, the water splashes the sperm out of the antheridial head, and they swim to the eggs through water droplets. Water is essential in the reproduction of moss, which is why it can only grow in moist environments.
:Moss have two parts to their life cycle. The first stage is the ''gametophyte'', and this is the stage mosses will spend the majority of their life in. When haploid spores germinate they grow and mature, eventually developing male and female reproductive structures. The male structure is the antheridia and this produces sperm, while the female strucutre is the archegonia which will produce egg cells. The haploid sperm will swim through water to the archegonia-which releases a chemical signal to attract them-where the eggs will be fertilized and develop into diploid structures, this begins the ''sporophyte'' life stage. The sporophyte reproduces and via meiosis creates haploid spores, and the life cycle starts over again. Water is essential in the reproduction of moss, unlike the seed-bearing plants, which is one of the reasons why it must grow in moist environments [4].


==Environmental Role==
==Environmental Role==
: Mosses play an important part in stabilizing [[soil]], and reducing erosion. Their rhizoids grip the ground and can hold on to [[clay]], gravel, and sandy soil substrates. Moss is resilient and can withstand many toxins and heavy metals that might be in rainwater run-off or already present in the soil. Toxic elements like mercury, iron, and lead can be filtered through moss, making mosses a useful component in the bioremediation of areas. In addition to heavy metals, moss can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Moss has the ability to create humid microhabitats, where plant seeds can easily germinate and soil arthropods can flourish. [10]
: Mosses play an vital role in stabilizing [[soil]], reducing erosion, and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids grip the ground and can hold on to [[clay]], gravel, and sandy soil substrates. Along with absorbing moisture 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 environments mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats, which allows plant seeds to germinate easily and soil arthropods to be able to flourish.




<gallery mode="slideshow">
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
:[1] Asher, Beth. “Describe the Structure of a Moss Plant.” Hunker, [[https://www.hunker.com/12000232/describe-the-structure-of-a-moss-plant]].
:[1] Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta):3–13.
:[2] “Bryophytes.” Prentice Hall Biology, [[https://www.jayreimer.com/TEXTBOOK/iText/products/0-13-115516-4/ch22/ch22_s2_1.html]].
:[2] Crooks, V. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.
:[3] Lizarazo, Andres. “Moss to Ferns.” SlideShare, 23 Apr. 2014, [[https://www.slideshare.net/andresfgomezl/moss-to-ferns]].
:[3] McHale, E. 2020, May 23. 7 interesting things about moss | Kew. https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/moss.
:[4] Martin, Annie. “5 Environmental Benefits of Moss Gardening.” Timber Press, 9 Sept. 2015, [[https://www.timberpress.com/blog/2015/09/5-environmental-benefits-of-moss-gardening/]].
:[4] Carter, J. S. 2010, September 12. Mosses and Ferns. https://biologyclermont.info/wwwroot/courses/lab2/mosses%20intro.htm.
:[5] McLintock, A. H. “Polytrichum, Showing Both Male and Female Gametophytes as Separate Plants.” An Encylcopedia of New Zealand, 1966, [[https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/24024/polytrichum-showing-both-male-and-female-gametophytes-as-separate-plants]].
:[6] “Moss.” Basic Biology, 23 May 2015, [[https://basicbiology.net/plants/non-vascular/mosses]].
:[7] “Moss Facts.” Soft Schools, [[https://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/moss_facts/504/]].
:[8] “Moss.” Wikipedia, 21 Mar. 2019, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moss]].
:[9] Stein Carter, J. “Primitive Plants: Mosses, Ferns, and Allies.” Biology Clermont, 11 July 2017, [[https://biologyclermont.info/wwwroot/courses/lab2/mosses%20intro.htm]].
:[10] Gerson, U. 1969. Moss-[[Arthropod]] Associations. The Bryologist 72:495–500.

Revision as of 14:06, 30 March 2022

Moss
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta

Classes

There are three different classes of mosses within the phylum Bryophyta:
  1. Peat Mosses
    • Sphagnidae
  2. Granite Mosses
    • Andreaeidae
  3. True Mosses
    • Bryidae
Mosses are a group of small, non-vascular, plants that are classified as Bryophytes. They are typically 0.2–10 cm tall and reproduce via spores. Mosses can commonly be found forming dense mats in wet and/or shady habitats. Some species are extremely resilient and tolerate many toxins, which is why they can also be found in a variety of areas including: urban brownfields, the cracks of roadways, and on the sides of buildings. Mosses provide a food source and habitat for macro and micro invertebrates and create microhabitats that are essential to some species of soil arthropods. [10]

Structure

Mossstructure.png
Moss lacks vascular tissue, which is what other plants use to transport water and nutrients from their roots to their shoots. Since they lack this tissue, they have dissimilar anatomy to more morphologically complex plants. Instead of roots, members of Bryophyta have rhizoids, which hold their vegetative structures onto whatever substrate that they are growing on. Without vascular tissue, water is transported from cell to cell by diffusion. This is why these plants are so small. The gametophyte is the non-reproductive vegetative structure that photosynthesizes. The sporophyte is the reproductive structure that is essential to the dispersal of the moss's spores.

Life Cycle

Moss Life Cycle
Moss have two parts to their life cycle. The first stage is the gametophyte, and this is the stage mosses will spend the majority of their life in. When haploid spores germinate they grow and mature, eventually developing male and female reproductive structures. The male structure is the antheridia and this produces sperm, while the female strucutre is the archegonia which will produce egg cells. The haploid sperm will swim through water to the archegonia-which releases a chemical signal to attract them-where the eggs will be fertilized and develop into diploid structures, this begins the sporophyte life stage. The sporophyte reproduces and via meiosis creates haploid spores, and the life cycle starts over again. Water is essential in the reproduction of moss, unlike the seed-bearing plants, which is one of the reasons why it must grow in moist environments [4].

Environmental Role

Mosses play an vital role in stabilizing soil, reducing erosion, and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids grip the ground and can hold on to clay, gravel, and sandy soil substrates. Along with absorbing moisture 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 environments mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats, which allows plant seeds to germinate easily and soil arthropods to be able to flourish.


References

[1] Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta):3–13.
[2] Crooks, V. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.
[3] McHale, E. 2020, May 23. 7 interesting things about moss | Kew. https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/moss.
[4] Carter, J. S. 2010, September 12. Mosses and Ferns. https://biologyclermont.info/wwwroot/courses/lab2/mosses%20intro.htm.