Bryophytes Diversity

ABSTRACT

This experiment aims to determine the diversity of bryophytes; their structural

characteristics, its life cycle and its water-holding capacity either in dry or fresh form.

Likewise, the experiment has been carried out to test whether bryophytes absorb water
most; to describe how gardeners grow more moss in their pots; to compare haploid and diploid
stages in the life cycle of moss; and to determine the ways of mosses and other nonvascular
plants to protect the soil. Observation, experimentation and interpretation of quantitative data
were utilized in seeking answers to the problem previously. Also, the application of laboratory
equipment helped a lot in the entire conduct of the activity. It is hypothesized that 1.) The dried
moss will have the greater capacity than the fresh moss. 2.) Mosses can grow more in the pots
because of its physical characteristics. 3.) The diploid and haploid stage in the life cycle of the
moss differs in their products 4.) By means of the physical properties of the mosses it prevents
the soil to erode.

The findings of this experiment are; 1.) The sponge has the higher water absorption than
the fresh and dried moss. 2.) The gardener can grow more moss in the same pots because mosses
has the ability to sexually and asexually reproduce hence enabling them to reproduce easily. 3.)
The haploid stage 4.) Mosses absorbs moisture, acting like sponges which helps prevent soil
erosion.

INTRODUCTION

Bryophytes are a group of plant species that reproduce via spores rather than
flowers or seeds another term commonly used for this group is nonvascular plants. Bryophytes
Bryophytes lack xylem and phloem, the conductive tissues of vascular plants. They are not
considered to have given rise to the vascular plants but they probably were the earliest land
plants (Qui & Palmer, 1999). Like the rest of the land plants, they evolved from green algal
ancestors, closely related to the Charophytes. Bryophytes were some of the first green plants to
successfully colonize land 470–551 million years ago (mya) from aquatic algal ancestors (Morris
et al., 2018).

Most Bryophytes occupy a wide variety of habitats and consist of three types: the mosses
(Bryophyta) 9000 (Magill, 2010), to 13,000 (Goffinet et al., 2008) species, the liverworts
(Marchantiophyta or Hepatophyta) with 5000 to 7500 species of liverworts worldwide
(Söderström et al., 2016; von Konrat et al., 2010) making this the second largest phylum of
bryophytes, and the hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) with an estimated 215 species of hornworts
worldwide (Söderström et al., 2016), making them the smallest bryophyte phylum. Bryophytes
(mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) are found on all continents around the world and they are the
most diverse group of plants outside of angiosperms. (Schussler, 1999)

True mosses, liverworts and hornworts was used in investigating the questions of our
experiment, they are typically found on rocks, soil and concrete, and depend heavily on moisture
to survive and reproduce. True mosses are used for horticulture, reducing soil erosion, providing
shelter for micro fauna, and forming Sphagnum moss (Carol, 2014). Previous studies have
demonstrated that bryophytes are good bio-indicators for environmental pollution due to the
special leaf architecture of the plant organism.

There is mounting evidence that bryophytes were the first green plants to diversify on
land and, as such, they are the oldest extant lineage of terrestrial organisms. Despite their
significant evolutionary history and interesting ecology, bryophytes are often absent from the
undergraduate science curriculum. (C. Wellman, P. Osterloff, U. Mohluddin, 2003).

This experiment will greatly help the students to out in order to further the knowledge
about Bryophytes specifically this experiment has been carried out to fulfill the following
objectives; 1) To examine the structural characteristics of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts 2)
To describe the life cycle of mosses and 3) To compare the water holding capacity of dried and
fresh mosses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This activity will require the following materials; live specimens of mosses, liverworts,
and hornworts (Hypnum cupressiforme); dried mass of mosses (Leucobryum glaucum); clear
plastic cups to hold collected fresh specimen; microscopes, glass slides, cover slip; watch glass;
dissecting needle, forceps; hand lens; a beaker; 100mL graduated cylinder; triple beam balance; a
timer; sponge; clean water; marking pens; ruler; paper tape; and a reference materials for botany.

Methods

A. TESTING THE WATER ABSORPTION BY MOSSES

After the preparations of all the materials that are needed, put all the sample specimens
in cups separately and label each cup with the names of the specimen contained inside it.
Thereafter, prepare the three beakers by labelling them with letters A, B, and C.
Subsequently pour 100 ml of water for each of the beakers. After that, get the samples
ready by scraping dirt off them. Weigh equal amount of dry moss (scientific name), fresh
moss (scientific name), and dishwashing sponge. Next is to put the dry moss in beaker A,
the fresh moss in beaker B, and the dishwashing sponge in beaker C. Wait for 30 minutes
and subsequently remove the specimen from water. Follow it with the recording of the
amount of water left in the beakers. Lastly, record the mass of each specimen left the
beaker after you have poured out the water.
B. EXAMINATION OF SPECIMEN Using the specimens collected from moist places, get a
sample first by scraping off the green mass and place it inside a cup and cover it. Second,
examine the whole plant-moss, hornwort and liverwort and take note of the different parts. Next,
measure and record plant height in millimeters or centimeters. Lastly, draw and label fully the
plant for each phylum of nonvascular plant.

C. LIFE CYCLE OF MOSS From your fresh specimen of mosses, examine further the
gametophyte plant. Then, examine the sporophyte portion of the plant. Thereafter, take note of
the capsule and spores.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The result and interpretation of data was gathered are shown in this part.

Table 1. Water Holding Capacity of Fresh and Dries Mosses

Mass of Specimen
Volume of water Mass of Specimen
Specimen before soaking in
obtained after soaking in water
water

Fresh Moss
0.2 g 98 mL 0.3 g
Hypnum moss
(Hypnum
cupressiforme)

Dried Moss
Leucobryummoss 0.2 g 96mL
(Leucobryum 0.6g
glaucum)

Sponge 0.2g 85 mL 15.2g

The table show the mass of the specimen before and after it was soaked for 30 minutes and the
volume obtained. It shows that the mass of the specimen changes after it was soaked in water. It
also shows that the sponge has the highest water absorption and it has the highest increased in
mass.

Life cycle of Moss:

The life cycle of most mosses begins with the release of spores from a capsule, which opens
when a small, liedlike structure, called the operculum, degenerates. A single spore germinates to
form a branched, filamentous protonema, from which a leafy gametophyte develops. The
gametophyte bears organs for sexual reproduction. Sperm, which are released by the mature
antheridium (the male reproductive organ), are attracted into the neck of an archegonium (the
female reproductive organ). Here, one sperm fuse with the egg to produce the zygote. After cell
division, the zygote becomes the sporophyte, and, at the same time, the archegonium divides to
form the protective calyptra. The sporophyte usually consists of a capsule and a seta. Asexual
reproduction occurs within the capsule and the whole process may begin again.

1. Which material absorbed water most? Explain your results. Why did we include the sponge in
the activity? Relate your findings with the use of moss as bandage during the war in Europe.

The material that absorbed water most is the sponge. Sphagnum, or ‘bog moss’, were
used during World War I (1914-1918). Because dried Sphagnum can absorb up to twenty times
its own volume of liquids, such as blood, pus, or antiseptic solution, and promotes antisepsis.
Sphagnum was thus superior to inert cotton wool dressings. Sphagnum dressings had long been
recognized in Germany. They pointed to the extraordinary capacity of Sphagnum to absorb and
retain water, reporting that 10 ounces of dried moss could hold 70 ounces of water. Like the dry
sponge that can absorbed great amount of water; dried Sphagnum moss was subsequently found
that could equally well absorb blood, pus, lymph, or other bodily fluids, being at least twice as
absorptive as cotton wool. Sphagnum moss was far from inert, for unlike cotton wool, it had
antiseptic properties, which were of inestimable value to surgeons and nurses.

2. How can gardeners grow more moss in their pots?

Mosses are plants that develop from spores rather than seeds. They thrive naturally in most
temperate areas around the world Moss doesn’t have a root system, so it can grow easily.

3. Compare haploid and diploid stages in the life cycle of moss.

The gametophyte comprises the main plant (the green moss or liverwort), while the
diploid sporophyte is much smaller and is attached to the gametophyte. The haploid stage, in
 which a multicellular haploid gametophyte develops from a spore and produces haploid gametes,
is the dominant stage in the bryophyte life cycle.

4. Explain mosses and other nonvascular plants protect soil.

Bryophytes prevent soil erosion. They usually grow densely and hence act as soil
binders. Mosses grow in dense strands forming mat or carpet like structure. Holding much of the
falling water and reducing the amount of run-off water.

CONCLUSION:

The objective of this experiment are; 1.) To describe the structural characteristics of the
different types of bryophytes such as mosses, liverworts and hornworts, 2.) To describe the life
cycle of mosses, 3.) To compare the water holding capacity of dried and fresh mosses.

The result of this experiment are; Mosses, liverworts and hornworts has differences in
terms of appearance and in their biological properties. 2.) In the moss life cycle, fertilization
takes place in the archegonium of the gametophyte, mosses have diploid and haploid
generations. Mosses can reproduce sexually or asexually. 3.) The dried moss has the greater
water absorption than the fresh moss.

REFERENCES

  Anna Sheets Columnist, (2017)

https://www.northaugustastar.com/opinion/the-benefits-of-moss/article_d727986a-39e0-11e7-8344-
37f36c6dd8c8.html?
fbclid=IwAR0R1S606jZmMHVdy7QW2z1h4oTaeeAHDjtIzAm9wTvSCUlR1rWy5FRbUxg
 (Qui & Palmer, 1999) https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/abs/10.1680/geot.1999.49.3.285

DOCUMENTATION:
Dried moss Fresh moss