What use are mosses?
Because of their small size, these plants are often overlooked and we perceive them as being of limited importance. However, this is not the case. Recent studies have determined that mosses are the most important factor controlling nutrient flow in the boreal forest. If we did not have bryophytes we would not have the forest we currently have in Alberta. Alberta’s forest industry, in fact, depends on the existence of mosses! And anyone who is a gardener is probably very familiar with a particular type of moss. Peat moss, scientifically known as Sphagnum, is truly a moss. Its ability to hold onto water and nutrients, even when chopped up, are qualities that make it extremely valuable for improving the quality of soils used in horticulture. These are but two examples of the many uses and critical importance of mosses to man and ecosystems.
