NAME: Ybur Cleve Olsen B.

Dahilog
COURSE: MS General Science Education
DATE: March 20, 2021

Republic of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY
University Town, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon

WORKSHEET 1

NONVASCULAR FLORA: Their Taxonomy, Diversity, Life Strategy and

Ecological Significance

Direction: Given below are questions relating to the taxonomic diversity, functional role in the
ecosystem and the biology of bryophytes and lichens.

A. QUESTIONS:

1. Why are bryophytes and lichen communities have been widely used as
bioindicators of climatic and environmental changes?

➢ Lichens and bryophytes serve as effective and been widely used as bioindicators of
air quality because aside from they have no roots, no cuticle, and acquire all their
nutrients from direct exposure to the atmosphere they are also very sensitive and
highly susceptible to air pollutants such as sulphur, nitrogen, acidity, halogens, heavy
metals, and ozone

2. Microclimatic variables have been considered as constraining factors over

the taxonomic and functional diversity of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens.
Explain.

➢ According to the study Leiddy Chuquimarca, epiphytic bryophytes and lichens are an
essential component of tropical humid forests because of their important role in water
and nutrient cycles. They are also very important in facilitating crucial ecosystem
processes. And since epiphytic lichens are poikilohydric, which makes them very
sensitivity to environmental disturbances. Which mean their growth, reproduction, and
development are prone and can be affected by microclimatic variables and
environmental changes.

3. Why are nonvascular groups an essential component of tropical humid

forest? State its important roles in the ecosystem.

➢ Nonvascular plants ae very essential component of tropical humid forest since it helped
make the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing the advancement of other plants
and animals. They also provide microhabitats for many species of animals. Worms and
insects that benefit soil quality reside among bryophytes. Other animals can obtain
prey and even nesting material from bryophytes.

Furthermore, nonvascular plants work to break down rocky terrain into beneficial soil
for other plants. Bryophyte mats also work as nature’s little purifying and stabilizing
powerhouses. They absorb runoff, and they filter groundwater. It also helps to lessen
the possibility of soil erosions.
 Lastly, Bryophytes which is a nonvascular also possess antimicrobial and antifungal
qualities. They also react quickly to environmental changes, making them valuable
indicators for air and water quality.

4. What taxonomic traits useful to assess the diversity status, species richness,
and composition of lichens and moss flora in any vegetation type?

➢ To assess the diversity status, species richness, and composition of lichens and moss
flora in any vegetation type, taxonomic characters based on habitats, leaf arrangement
and orientation, stem structure, and sporophyte characters for the mosses and the
growth form for the lichens were used to identify into families, genera and species.

➢ Aside from those there are parameters needed to be considered. Lichens and moss
flora diversity are influenced by both the host tree species (tree height, age, diameter,
branch density, pH of tree bark, bark structure, and water holding capacity of bark), by
the position of trees in the stand (canopy closure, species mixture, number of trees per
ha), and the site quality (aspect, slope, and altitude). This observed pattern of species
richness may be attributed to the altitudinal zonation’s of the vegetation types (Sevgi,
E., et al. 2019).

5. Cite an explanation on the effects of land-use on ecosystems structure and

biodiversity status of nonvascular plants.

➢ Many of nonvascular plant species are sensitive to environmental changes such as

enrichment of nutrients, pollutants, or changes in humidity, and can thus serve as
suitable ecological indicators for specific environmental conditions. Similarly, to
vascular plants, nonvascular plants such as bryophyte species can be affected by land
use, either directly by mechanical impacts such as grazing and mowing, by toxic
impacts of high nitrogen applications or indirectly through increased productivity
leading to asymmetric light competition with tall-growing plant species

6. The reproductive life cycle of a moss plant is important to understand its

physiology. Discuss the life cycle. (Note: An available online links and websites
to trace the life cycle)
➢ Mosses belong to the division Bryophyta. They are the small, non-vascular plants that
are flowerless. They are autotrophic as they undergo photosynthesis. The life cycle of
mosses shows alternation of generation. They consist of only a single set of haploid
chromosomes. The period when the moss plant has two paired chromosomes is known
as the sporophyte stage. The life cycle starts with the sore, which is haploid and
resulting in the production of protonema. Protonema is the thallus-like, flat thread-like
filaments. From this stage, gametophore grows, which later forms stem and leaves.
The gametophore is the gamete bearers. From the tips of the gametophore stems, the
sex organs are developed. The female organs are known as archegonia, and male
organs are known as antheridia. In the water, sperm swim towards archegonia, and
fertilization occurs. The pollination occurs mainly through the wind. After fertilization,
the immature sporophyte pushed out of the archegonial venter and developed into the
mature sporophyte. They consisted of seta, and a capsule capped cell called an
operculum. In the capsule during meiosis, spore formation occurs and forms haploid
spores. After this, the new cycle begins.
 B. Field Investigations

INTRODUCTION

Nonvascular plants have existed for millions of years, and they can be aquatic or land
plants. Nonvascular land plants, called bryophytes, likely diverged from aquatic plants such
as algae about 450 million years ago.The nonvascular characteristic is similar to that of distant
green algae ancestors. Since nonvascular plants lack circulatory systems or tracheids,
nutrients and water must move between cells. Nonvascular plants do not have the specialized
structure know as xylem, which is found in vascular plants. Xylem aids in the movement of
water and nutrients throughout a plant.

Bryophytes include algae, mosses (the phylum Bryophyta), liverworts (the phylum
Marchantiophyta) and hornworts (the phylum Anthocerotophyta).
Liverworts represent the first bryophytes, dating as far back as the Ordovician Period. The
fossil record is limited due to the fact that bryophytes do not contain lignin.

METHODOLOGY

Locale of the Study

The study was conducted at Lake Pinamaloy, Don Carlos Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon. The
study focused only on nonvascular plants. The site was along the shady forest beside the
lake.

Materials
Camera with micro capture feature (substitute for field lens), pencil, notebook, non-
vascular plants chart (soft copy) and google lens (application).

Procedure

Visit a nearby forest area, mini-forest, a creek or open fields and shady areas.
Examine a tree trunk, barks, leaves, decayed logs, moist rocks. Try to document by taking
photos on species of lichens and bryophytes. Carefully observe (use field lens or hand lens)
and collect 10 species for each group and assign specific numbers or name for each. Record
and organize your data.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A total of 12 species of nonvascular plants were photo documented only since the
management of Lake Pinamaloy declined our request to collect samples due to lack of
permission to higher authority of Don Carlos Sur, Don Carlos Bukidnon. The Species were
Classified and identified using microscopic feature of phone. 4 of which are lichens and belong
to Division Ascomycota. 7 of the collected species are belong to Phylum Bryophyta and the
remaining 1 species is belonging to phylum Hepaticophyta.

Table 1. Classification of Nonvascular Species.

Number of
samples Phylum/Division Class Order Family Scientific Name
found

2 Ascomycota Lecanoromycetes Lecanorales Parmeliaceae Flavopunctelia soredica

2 Ascomycota Lecanoromycetes Teloschistales Teloschistaceae Xanthoria parientina
4 Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Entodontaceae Entodon seductrix
1 Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Ditrichaceae Ceratodon purpureus
1 Ascomycota Lecanoromycetes Lecanorales Stereocaulaceae Lepraria lobificans
1 Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Hypnaceae Hypnum cupressiforme
1 Bryophyta Sphagnopsida Sphagnales Sphagnaceae Sphagnum inundatum
1 Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Brachytheciaceae Homalothecium sericeum
1 Hepaticophyta Hepaticopsida Jungermanniales Cephaloziaceae Cephalozia catenulata
2 Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Hypnaceae Platydictya confervoides
2 Ascomycota Ascomycetes Lecanorales Parmeliaceae Imshaugia aleurites
1 Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Brachytheciaceae Brachythecium populeum

Table 1., shows that there are many nonvascular plants in lake pinamaloy but
the diversity of the species is not really diverse, the study shows that Entodon seductrix is the
dominant species in the area followed by Flavopunctelia soredica, Xanthoria parientina, Platydictya
confervoides, and Imshaugia Aleurites. The remaining species are rare to be found in lake pinamaloy
such as Ceratodon purpureus, Lepraria lobificans, Hypnum cupressiforme, Sphagnum inundatum,
Homalothecium sericeum, Cephalozia catenulate, and Brachythecium populeum.
 DOCUMENTATION

1. Foliose lichen 2. Foliose lichen 3. Crustose Lichens

Flavopunctelia soredica Flavopunctelia soredica Xanthoria parientina

4. Entodon seductrix 5. Ceratodon purpureus 6. Crustose Lichens

Xanthoria parientina
7. Foliose lichen 8. Entodon seductrix 9. Hypnum cupressiforme

10. Hypnum cupressiforme 11. Sphagnum inundatum 12. Homalothecium sericeum

13. Cephalozia catenulata 14. Platydictya confervoides 15. Platydictya confervoides

16. Imshaugia aleurites 17. Imshaugia aleurites 18. Brachythecium populeum

C. Bryophytes and Lichens Research: Read and carefully understand a scientific article on
these plant groups. Submit one (1) Research Abstract for each obtained from PDF Journal
dated (2010 to Date), citing the authors and publications.

Azuelo, A., Lubos, L., & Dizon, D. Inventory of Epiphytic Moss Flora in the Montane Forest of Mt.
Kasiling Dako, Tarragona, Davao Oriental. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied
Research (IJSBAR) (2019) Volume 48, No 3, pp 179-189.

Abstract

Mosses have been found to be good indicators of environmental conditions. Their

significant in the environment helps to evaluate and assess the effect of environmental
changes on the ecosystem. This study aims to determine the record status of the collected
species of mosses found in Mt. Kasiling Dako, Tomoaong, Tarragona, Davao Oriental,
Philippines. The said station has an approximate elevation of 392.6 meters or 1,388.0 feet
above mean sea level
(masl). The inventory of the moss floral species was done through a transect walk (Alpha
Taxonomy) which covers 200 meters following the trail of the forest. The choice of the area
conducted through a purposive sampling method in which all mosses was examined and
investigated. Twenty–one species of mosses was identified, classified, and described based
on their life forms and habitat. Of the 21 specimens collected, eleven locally assessed as
abundant while ten found rare. Based on the habitat preference of the mosses, nine preferred
tree trunk, five preferred rocks, three for tree base, and two for both tree log and
clay. Thus, these protected areas need to be preserved in order to ensure mosses’ growth
and abundance. This furtherly recommend the conduct of morphological examination and find
a standardized method of measuring status record of the moss floral species.

Pharo, Emma & BEATTIE, ANDREW. (2006). Bryophyte and lichen diversity: A comparative
study. Australian Journal of Ecology. 22. 151 - 162. 10.1111/j.1442-9993.1997.tb00654.x.
Abstract
We describe the regional species richness, variation in species richness and species
turnover of bryophytes and lichens from 36 sites in lowland forests of southeastern Australia.
The analyses subdivided the two major taxa into their constituent sub-groups: mosses,
liverworts, and crustose, fruticose and foliose lichens. They also explored correlations
between selected environmental variables and patterns of diversity. On a regional scale, there
were 77 species of bryophytes and 69 species of lichens, giving a total of approximately one-
third of the total number of vascular plant species in the region. Mean species richness was
higher for lichens than bryophytes. Also, the two taxa were negatively correlated because
lichens favoured dry sites and bryophytes favoured moist ones. Species turnover was greater
for bryophytes than lichens, largely due to the distribution of liverwort species. Foliose lichens
showed higher levels of turnover than crustose lichens. Multiple regression and canonical
correspondence analysis showed that both taxa and all sub-groups responded to the same
three variables: vascular plant cover, time since last fire and topographic position. Other
variables, including time since logging and intensity of logging, explained little variation in
bryophyte or lichen diversity. The data suggest that the strategies for the conservation of
bryophyte and lichen biodiversity will be different, to reflect the different patterns of species
richness and species turnover.