Mosses of a montane conifer forest can store moisture for six hours

Mnica Berdugo*, Martin Doviak & Robin W. Kimmerer

Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York,
College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY

* e-mail: mbberdug@syr.edu

INTRODUCTION

Mosses may regulate moisture availability at the microsite

scale. Thus, understanding water traits of moss communities is
crucial to study the role of mosses on moisture dynamics. We
studied moss water dynamics in the spruce-fir forests of
Whiteface Mountain, NY (Fig. 1), by addressing two objectives:
i) Quantify moss abundance in the understory,
Fig 1. Spruce-fir forests of Whiteface Mountain, NY. a. View from the
summit. b. View at the understory level.

ii) Study the water retention capacity of these mosses.

We hypothesized that few species dominate the understory and
that water traits vary with the life form of the dominant species
in moss communities.

We estimated ground cover and moss cover by species

2
(Fig. 2a) on 20 sites using 1m quadrats systematically
2 frame (Fig.
established, and collected
80
moss
samples
using
a
100
cm
(Figure 2b).
2b). The sites were located across the fir zone, at elevations between
1,089 and 1,402 m.

Biomass and two water traits of the dominant moss communities were
measured. Water holding capacity was determined, after hydrating
subsamples over 12 hours in closed atmosphere. Water release profiles
were built by monitoring water loss of three subsamples of 2.25cm2 every
20 minutes under room conditions (30% RH and 21 + 1C).

Fig. 2. Fieldwork.
a. Surveying understory.
b. Sampling design.

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

Mosses and litter cover most of the understory (Figure 3).

Two contrasting moss communities dominate the

understory covered by mosses (Fig. 4). Dominant moss
communities have the same water release profile, but
smooth mats have a slightly higher water holding
capacity (Figure 5).

The moisture dynamic of the understory of spruce fir forests is

most likely influenced by mosses because they cover about a
half of the understory in the fir zone (Figs. 3 and 4).
The slow water release of smooth mats and tall turfs suggests
that these dominant moss communities may reduce the
drought stress of plants associated to mossy substrates for
periods that vary from 4 to 6 hours (Fig. 5)
A 6-hour period of moisture regulation could have important
impacts on vigor and survivorship of tree seedlings. Thus,
understanding the role of mosses in understory moisture
dynamics may have implications in forest regeneration
processes under the c
predicted climate, warmer and with
stronger seasonally drought.

Fig. 3. Abundance of the

understory cover types in sprucefir forests. FWD: fine woody
debris; CWD: coarse woody
debris; Other includes organic
soil, water, bare rock, and
exposed tree roots. Error bars
represent + SE, n=200.
Fig 4. Area of understory covered by the moss
communities by life form in spruce-fir forests.
Smooth mats: Hypnum imponens and Pohlia nutans;
Tall turfs Dicranum fuscescens and Paraleucobryum
longifolium. Error bars represent + SD, n=80.

METHODS

CONCLUSION
The moisture of understory microsites in spruce-fir
forests is likely influenced by dominant moss
communities, which hold up to 20 ml of water per g of
biomass and release moisture for 4 to 6 hours.
Acknowledgements: This research was supported by:
COLCIENCIAS, the Edwin H. Ketchledge award, and the Randolph
G. Pack grant for graduate students. Special thanks are due to Paul
Casson, Jay Wason, Daniela Manuschevich and Sarnai
Davaadagva for making possible and enjoyable the fieldwork.
Key references:

Fig 5.
Example of water traits of the dominant mosses in the understory of
spruce fir forests. a. Water release profiles. b. Water holding capacity.
Arrows indicate half of water loss (T50), error bars represent + SD, n=3.

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