<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Mosses are often overlooked; however, they are important for soil-atmosphere interfaces with regard to water exchange. This study investigated the influence of moss structural traits on maximum water storage capacities (WSCmax) and evaporation rates, and species-specific effects on water absorption and evaporation patterns in moss layers, moss-soil-interfaces and soil substrates using biocrust wetness probes. Five moss species typical for Central European temperate forests were selected: field-collected <italic>Brachythecium rutabulum</italic>, <italic>Eurhynchium striatum</italic>, <italic>Oxyrrhynchium hians</italic> and <italic>Plagiomnium undulatum</italic>; and laboratory-cultivated <italic>Amblystegium serpens</italic> and <italic>Oxyrrhynchium hians</italic>.
WSCmax ranged from 14.10 g g−1 for <italic>Amblystegium serpens</italic> (Lab) to 7.31 g g−1 for <italic>Plagiomnium undulatum</italic> when immersed in water, and 11.04 g g−1 for <italic>Oxyrrhynchium hians</italic> (Lab) to 7.90 g g−1 for <italic>Oxyrrhynchium hians</italic> when sprayed, due to different morphologies depending on the growing location. Structural traits such as high leaf frequencies and small leaf areas increased WSCmax. In terms of evaporation, leaf frequency displayed a positive correlation with evaporation, while leaf area index showed a negative correlation. Moisture alterations during watering and desiccation were largely controlled by species/substrate-specific patterns. Generally, moss cover prevented desiccation of soil surfaces and was not a barrier to infiltration. To understand water’s path from moss to soil, this study made a first contribution.
</abstract>

Mosses are often overlooked; however, they are important for soil-atmosphere interfaces with regard to water exchange. This study investigated the influence of moss structural traits on maximum water storage capacities (WSCmax) and evaporation rates, and species-specific effects on water absorption and evaporation patterns in moss layers, moss-soil-interfaces and soil substrates using biocrust wetness probes. Five moss species typical for Central European temperate forests were selected: field-collected Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Oxyrrhynchium hians and Plagiomnium undulatum; and laboratory-cultivated Amblystegium serpens and Oxyrrhynchium hians.
WSCmax ranged from 14.10 g g−1 for Amblystegium serpens (Lab) to 7.31 g g−1 for Plagiomnium undulatum when immersed in water, and 11.04 g g−1 for Oxyrrhynchium hians (Lab) to 7.90 g g−1 for Oxyrrhynchium hians when sprayed, due to different morphologies depending on the growing location. Structural traits such as high leaf frequencies and small leaf areas increased WSCmax. In terms of evaporation, leaf frequency displayed a positive correlation with evaporation, while leaf area index showed a negative correlation. Moisture alterations during watering and desiccation were largely controlled by species/substrate-specific patterns. Generally, moss cover prevented desiccation of soil surfaces and was not a barrier to infiltration. To understand water’s path from moss to soil, this study made a first contribution.

Water’s path from moss to soil: A multi-methodological study on water absorption and evaporation of soil-moss combinations

Invertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoclimatology, Department of Geosciences

Soil Science and Geomorphology, Department of Geosciences

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mosses are often overlooked; however, they are important for soil-atmosphere interfaces with regard to water exchange. This study investigated the influence of...

Water’s path from moss to soil: A multi-methodological study on water absorption and evaporation of soil-moss combinations

Published Online: Nov 15, 2021

Page range: 421 - 435

Received: Mar 31, 2021

Accepted: Jun 09, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2021-0021

Keywords
Biological soil crusts, Bryophytes, Ecohydrology, Moss structure, Moss hydrology, Rainfall interception

© 2021 Sonja M. Thielen et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Water’s path from moss to soil: A multi-methodological study on water absorption and evaporation of soil-moss combinations

Published Online: Nov 15, 2021

Page range: 421 - 435

Received: Mar 31, 2021

Accepted: Jun 09, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2021-0021

KeywordsBiological soil crusts, Bryophytes, Ecohydrology, Moss structure, Moss hydrology, Rainfall interception

© 2021 Sonja M. Thielen et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Biological soil crusts, Bryophytes, Ecohydrology, Moss structure, Moss hydrology, Rainfall interception