The secret world of moss, ancient ancestor of all plants and vital for the health of the planet
When people consider extraordinary plants, most probably don't spare a thought for moss. It blends in against the green background of plant life, and seems to grow everywhere—whether you want it to or not.
But this group of plants, which actually comprises between 12,000 and 15,000 species, is astonishing. Their almost unique resilience allows them to grow practically everywhere on Earth. They are helping scientists understand the evolution of life, and are one of the most ancient plant groups alive today.
A recent study by an Australian research team found that mosses are the lifeblood of habitats around the world, with plants and soil in better shape almost everywhere they grow.
Despite their importance, mosses are often overlooked due to their diminutive size. The smallest mosses, known as micromosses, measure only a few millimeters in length. Even the largest moss, Dawsonia superba, a species native to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, only reaches heights of up to 50cm—a giant among mosses, yet still smaller than the average houseplant.
But in fact, mosses help hold up entire ecosystems.
Drivers of critical ecosystem services
The contributions of mosses to the structure and function of modern ecosystems is often overlooked, lagging behind our understanding of more complex plants. The Australian study examined mosses' relationship to their habitats in detail, and found they are critical to soil health.
Macromitrium microstomum is found throughout New Zealand on the trunks or branches of smooth-barked trees, or on rock. Credit: Silvia Pressel, Author provided