1

DIVERSITY OF MOSSES IN ASSOCIATION WITH

TREES IN GANTUNGAN FOREST, BUKIDNON

Instructional Materials in Biology

Melanie P. Pabualan

Andrea G. Azuelo
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE STUDENTS

1. Read carefully the objectives of this Instructional Module

(IM).

2. During the laboratory work, take note carefully and record

all your observations.

3. After you have gathered data about this activity, discuss

the topic with your group members by noting and studying the
learning objectives. Likewise, study the guide questions.
You may use books and other learning materials and
references to help you answer the guide questions.

4. Try to answer the questions in the self-test which is found

at the last page of this Learning Module.

5. Check your answers with the suggested key answers. This will
be taken from your teacher. Never look at the suggested key
answers of this learning module before you have completely
formulated your own answers to each question.

6. Have a post laboratory discussion among your group members

after the activity and review your answers.

7. If you are ready, then your group may now take the post-
test. Good Luck.
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Lesson 1

TheSpecies
The SpeciesofofMosses
MossesininAssociation
Associationwith
withTrees
Trees
ininGantungan
GantunganForest,
Forest,Bukidnon
Bukidnon

When asked to visualize what a plant is, many of us picture a herbaceous plant
such as a sunflower, or a woody plant such as a mango tree. We think of "plants" as
possessing roots, a stem (or trunk), flowers, fruit, and seeds. Most of us do not
automatically think of the plants that grow on rocks, rooftops, concrete, and any
other moisture-laden area; however, this opportunistic bunch, choosing many eclectic
substrates, exists. Their leaves are mostly one cell thick, they have no true roots,
stems, flowers, or fruit, and instead of seeds they have spores. They are the mosses;
the plants we see forming "green carpets" with thin wiry upright stems supporting a
brown capsule that appears to be wearing a hat.

In this IM, you will learn more about the species of mosses in association with trees in
Gantungan Forest and its ecological importance. After the activity, you should be able to:

1. determine the species of mosses that are in association with trees in Gantungan Forest,
Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon;

2. collect, identify, classify and describe the external morphological characteristics of the
mosses; and

3. discuss the ecological importance of mosses.

Materials Needed:
On Field: knife/ bolo, name tags (label), field lens or hand lens.
On indoor laboratory: Microscope, glass slides, cover slips, dissecting needles,
forceps and medicinal dropper

What to do:
What to do: Be able to study the objectives very well. Do your best when
working in the laboratory, so you may be able to answer the objectives.
 4

Three (3) hours is the maximum time allotted for this IM

Do you want to know how some species of mosses are living in association with trees?
To answer this question, how about doing the field laboratory.
You will know how to collect, identify, classify and describe the external
features of the lowly plants called mosses.

Activity Procedure

A. Collection of Specimens

1. Go on field trip at Gantungan Forest, Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. You

will do a transect walk that is employing the alpha taxonomy method. You will
only study the moss species that are in association with trees within a 10m area
on both sides from the trail.( This activity may last for 1-2 days)

2. In collecting the specimens from trees, use a knife or bolo by scraping

underneath

3. Place the collected specimen in a plastic bag, accompanied by the following:

 Tag label, such as: date of collection, collection number, habitat
(identifying the trees and location of the tress) and description.

4. Record all your observations.

Now, you have already collected the mosses in association with trees…
How about preparing it for herbarium, identifying, classifying and
describing these mosses? Then, do the next activity…
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B. Preparing for Herbarium

1. Air dry the collected specimens by exposing to open air. It should not be
directly dried under the heat of the sun for the plant body of the bryophytes are
quite delicate.

2. If already dried, place it in packets and label it. Note that labeling is very
important and detailed notes of location, date of collection and habitat
description should be included.

3. The dried specimen is now ready as a voucher herbarium to be preserved for

future examination.

4. For making voucher

specimens from the
examined material, make
a supply of packets by
folding A4 sheets of fairly
absorbent paper as shown
on Figure 1. (adopted to
Piipo, et al. 2002)

Figure 1. Folding of packets for keeping

bryophyte specimens.

C. Identification, Classification and Description of Mosses

1. Air
1. Air dry
dry the
thecollected
collectedspecimens.
specimens. If already dried,dried,
If already place place
in packets and
in packets and
attached the label
attached the label tag.tag.
2. Identify and classify the species and the trees associated with, by
referringand
2. Identify to herbarium
classify thespecimens
species and(preserve specimens),
the trees associated with, by referring to
biological books and scientific journals.
herbarium specimens (preserve specimens), biological books and scientific
3. journals.
Use a field lens and microscope to describe the external
morphologycharacteristics of each specimen based on the characters of the leaf
3. such
Use as: color,lens
a field leaf arrangement,
and microscope size, to
shape and thethe
describe presence of sporophyte.
external morphology
4. characteristics
Record all yourofobservations.
each specimen based on the characters of the leaf such as:
color, leaf arrangement, size, shape and the presence of sporophyte.

4. Record all your observations.

 6

Main Ideas

Moss Liverwort Hornwort

The Division Bryophyta comprise the most primitive plants adapted to existence on dry
land. The bryophytes were estimated about 23,000 species worldwide. The mosses is about
14, 000 species, liverworts is about 6, 500 species and the relatively unknown hornworts
approximately 100 species (Russel, 1979; Azuelo et al., 2009). These group of plants are small,
usually less than 20 cm. in height; which are parenchymatous and lack vascular tissues although a
central column of elongated cells is present in the gametophyte of some; thus, they have no true
roots, stems or leaves. The absence of vascular tissues with the attendant lack of efficient water
conduction is probably the cause of the small size and the general restriction of the bryophytes to
moist habitats (Muller, 1979).

TheThe mosses
mosses are theare
mostthe most diverse
common, common, anddiverse and
advanced bryophyte and are one of the major clades of land
plants, belonging to the division Bryophyta, with orders
Bryales (the common mosses), Sphagnales ( the peat moss)
and Andreales ( the rock mosses) (Mishler, 1997).

Mosses can be distinguished from the apparently

A representative of the Family,
Hypnodendraceae, Hypnodendron dendroides
similar liverworts by their multi-cellular rhizoids. Other
differences are not universal for all mosses and all liverworts,
but the presence of clearly differentiated "stem" and "leaves",
the lack of deeply lobed or segmented leaves, and the absence
of leaves arranged in three ranks, all point to the plant being
a moss.

Mosses are world-wide in distribution and can be found at sea level as well as the highest
altitudes occupied by plants. Although, they could occur in deserts or be submerged in water,
most mosses occupy moist, shaded habitats. Moss gametophytes are either erect or extensively
branched prostrate plants that consist of an axis (commonly called a stem) bearing spirally
arranged leaf-like appendages (usually referred to as leaves); more often than not, they are
anchored to the substratum by branched multicellular filaments called rhizoids. Although variable
in shape, moss leaves usually consist of a single cell layer and are traversed by a midrib that is
always more than one cell in thickness; it may extend from the base of the leaf to the tip or

The morphology of a Polytricum,

showing its rhizoids,” stem” and “leaves”.
 7

beyond, or may terminate some distance from the tip. The margins of the leaves are often toothed,
the teeth pointed or rounded (Kent, 1992).

The word “mosses” is erroneously applied to a

Spanish “moss” a flowering
plant, not a moss.
number of plants which are not really bryophytes.
Many moss like plants, unrelated to the moss division,
are commonly called mosses. These include Irish moss,
or carrageen, which is a red alga. Iceland moss is a
common name applied to lichen and to a flowering
plant also known as wild stonecrop. Rock moss is a
common name applied to several lichens that grow on
rocks, and to widows-cross. Plants known as club moss
are related to the ferns. Spanish moss, or long moss, is a
flowering plant that grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks
in the southern regions of the United States and in the
West Indies (Encarta, 2006).

Why are mosses important in the ecosystem?

The chief importance of mosses and other bryophytes is the prevention of soil erosion.
Carpets of mosses possess a greater retaining power than layers of dead leaves and thus prevent
rapid runoff of rainwater. The mosses, like the higher forms of plants, thus play an essential role
in the human environment (Del Rosario, 1986) such as: biological indicators of air pollution;
some species are used in herbal medicine; few species plays „keystone‟ role in mineral cycling
and regulation of microclimate in the forests canopy and provide food and habitat for a host of
invertebrates (Azuelo et al, 2009).

Mosses are beneficial in the formation of soil. Since mosses need only a thin layer of soil
they can grow in places where other plants cannot. When mosses die, they build up the soil so that
the other plants may eventually grow. (McLaren and Rotundo, 1985).

Mosses generally are very sensitive to air pollution. The abundance and condition of
mosses in nature can be used to make precise estimate of pollution levels (Crosby, 1989).

Peat moss, members of the family Sphagnaceae, belongs to the

genus Sphagnum is one of the most common plants from which peat, a
fuel, isPeat moss, members
produced. of the
When the family
plants Sphagnaceae,
die, belongsmatter
the dead organic to the is
preserved more or less intact because the moss is acidic, so bacterial
and fungal decay occurs slowly. The dead peat moss and other plants
are compressed by the weight of the living plants growing above them.
This compressed matter eventually forms the peat. The peat can be cut
into blocks and removed for use as fuel. Peat moss is also useful in
gardening. It combats excessive alkalinity in the soil and produces the
acid environment that certain plants need to grow, including such
ornamental shrubs as rhododendrons (Wikipedia, 2006).
 8

Sphagnum sericeum, a peat

moss
Several studies relates to on antibiotic extracts
from bryophytes and was found that representative
species belonging to the family of Dicranaceae has the
greatest number which yielded antibiotically active
constitutient (Del Rosario and Beloy, 1989).
Bryophytes have now been investigated for their
potential in pharmaceutical use especially in cancer
awareness and increasing concern for preventive
medicine. Research in China has indicated that at least
40 species of bryophytes harbour certain ingredients
Dicranaloma blumii, belong to which have been tested to be antibacterial, antifungal
Family Dicranaceae and antifeedant (So, 1995).

Data A. Identification, Classification and Description of Mosses in association with trees.

1. Family : ___________________________
Scientific Name: ____________________
Description: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Habitat: ___________________________
2. Family: ___________________________
Scientific Name: ____________________
Description: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Habitat: ___________________________

3. Family: ___________________________
Scientific Name: ____________________
Description: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Habitat: ___________________________

4. Family: ___________________________
Scientific Name: ____________________
Description: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Habitat: ___________________________

5. Family: ___________________________
Scientific Name: ____________________
Description: _______________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________
Habitat: ___________________________

Data B. List of mosses classified into families, genera, species name and the associated trees.

Habitat
Family(ies) Genera Species Common name Parts of the tree
of tree observed
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Guide Questions:

1. Describe the study sites with respect to:

a. Location: _______________________________________
b. Weather (fair, sunny, rainy, windy): _________________________________
c. Air Temperature (cold, humid, warm):_______________________________

2. How do bryophytes differ from higher plants such as the trees?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. What makes a tree as a good habitat for mosses?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

4. What family (ies) of mosses in association with trees that shows the highest number of species?
the lowest number of species?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

5. What are the mosses known to be common or fairly common in association with trees that you
have collected? __________________________________________________

Generalization:
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Self- Test

Part I. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of which corresponds to the correct answer for each
item. Write your answer on the space before the number.

______1. Which of the following does not describe a moss plant?

a. no true roots, stems and leaves.
b. with undifferentiated stems and leaves.
c. with xylem and phloem vessels.
d. mostly are epiphytic in the forest ecosystem.

______2. Which of the following is considered a true moss?

a. Sphagnales b. Irish moss c. Iceland moss d. Club moss

______3. What common habitats do mosses usually live?

a. epiphytic b. moist region c. open fields d. desert region

______4. Which of the families of mosses represents the greatest fuel contribution?
a. Andreaceae b. Bryaceae c. Dicranaceae d. Sphagnaceae

______5. All of the following are the most common substrates of the bryophyted?
a. soil and rocks b. decayed logs c. tree barks d. water

Part II. Essay

1. How can the growth be possible among the bryophytes inspite of the absence of vascular
tissues? Explain.

2. State the significance of mosses in the forest ecosystem.

References:

AZUELO, A. G. 2005. Bryophytes Flora of Mt. Malindang, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Ph.D.
Dissertation Thesis, CMU.

MULLER, W.H. Botany: A Functional Approach.1979. 4th ed. New York Mac Millan Pub. Co., Inc.

Rabago, L.M. et.al. Science and Technology 2.1st ed. 1996. Vibal Publishing
House,Inc. pp. 140-143.

Technology link:
www. Scidiv.bcc.ctc.educ/rkr/Botany110/lectures/bryophytes.html
 11

Wikipedia.2006.bryophtes.

Lesson 2
The Mosses: Its Ecology and Life Cycle
The Mosses: Its Ecology and Life Cycle

After flowering plants and ferns, mosses are the most diverse group of plants,
with more than 10,000 species in 700 genera. This makes mosses almost twice as
diverse as mammals.

Mosses are small green plants that are simultaneously overlooked and deeply
appreciated by the typical nature lover. On the one hand, very few people pay
attention to individual moss plants and species. On the other hand, it is the moss that
imbues our forests with that wonderful lush "Rainforest" quality which soothes the
soul and softens the contours of the earth.

In this IM, you will learn more about the Ecology and Life Cycle of Mosses. After
performing this activity, you should be able to:

1. describe the different habitats of mosses;

2. determine the physical factors affecting the life growth of mosses;
3. examine the life adaptation of mosses in its environment; and
4. trace the life cycle of a moss, indicating the alternation of generation.

Materials Needed:
Laboratory thermometer (2), cotton cloth ( about 3c inches in width) , string ( 1 feet) and
sample of herbarium specimen of mosses

What
Whatto
todo:
do: Be able to study the objectives very well. Do your best when
working outdoor and indoor, so you may be able to answer the objectives

Two (2) hours is the maximum time allotted for this IM

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Activity Procedure

A. Determine the Physical Parameters that may affect the growth of mosses

1. Air Temperature

a. Use a thermometer to measure to

a. Use a thermometer airmeasure
temperature in the studyinsite.
air temperature the study site.
b. Get the reading forreading
b. Get the 3 timesfor and compute
3 times andthe mean the
compute values
meanbyvalues
addingbythe 3
values and divided by three.
adding the 3 values and divided by three.
c. Records all your observations.
c. Records all your observations.

2. Relative Humidity

a. Cover thea. bulb

Coverofthe
onebulb of one thermometer
thermometer with Tie
with the cloth. the cloth. Tie with
the cloth the cloth
a string
with a string to keep it in place. Soak the cloth in water. This is
to keep it in place. Soak the cloth in water. This is the wet- bulb thermometer.
Leave the other thermometer with its bulb uncovered. This is your dry-bulb
thermometer. Using strings hang the two thermometers.

b. Take the readings of the two thermometers and record in the table. Now, fan
the thermometers from all sides; continue fanning as long as the temperature
change in taking place in one or both thermometers. Stop fanning when the
temperature stops changing. Record the final temperatures shown on the
thermometers. Note: An indirect method of measuring relative humidity is
finding the difference between the dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperature
readings. At the top of the table, find the difference in temperature you
obtained and follow it down its column. In the left hand column, find the dry-
bulb temperature reading after fanning and follow its row across. The number
in the box where the column and the row meet is the relative humidity of the
air in percent.

B. Life Cycle of Mosses

1. Study the collected specimens of mosses.

2. By using a hand lens, try to recognize and describe the different structures of a
moss plant; and trace the alternation of generation of the life cycle of mosses.

3. Record all your observations.

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Main Ideas

The bryophytes growing in moist habitats exhibit

various degrees in their morphological structure and
development. Among these, so called mosses are small plants
ranging from 0.16 to 61 cm with less than 23 cm long (Del
Rosario,
The1986). The stems
bryophytes are insmall,
growing moistdelicate,
habitats green
exhibitcushiony
va structures and are anchored in the soil by branched rhizoids
(Greulach and Adams, 1975). Moss plants consist of small,
slender stalks and leaves; vascular tissue is not present. They
lack true roots, the functions of underground support and
conduction being carried on by filamentous structures called
rhizoids. The rhizoids perform similar function as the roots of
higher plants. The lack of vascular tissue explains why they do
Plant habit of Leucobryum javense not grow taller (Del Rosario et al., 1971).

Where do mosses usually live?

The true mosses are the Bryales which is the largest number among the bryophytes that
live under moderately moist conditions rather than in extremely wet habitats. The Andreales are
the smallest group of mosses. They live mostly in mountainous regions but have been reported to
often survive in very dry situations. They are abundant in cold regions on soil but do occur in the
temperate zone at higher altitudes on siliceous rocks (Bold, 1980).

Sphagnales is typically an inhabitant of pools, bogs and swamps and often occurs
abundantly around the shores of ponds and lakes. Several mosses grow in unusual habitats like
dung, caves, and bare rocks or to recolonize burned over soil (Bold, 1980). Xerophytic mosses are
extremely resistant to desiccation and have been revived after dry storage for periods between 8
months and 19 years (Crum, 1976).

Mosses grow on a wide variety of substrates,

damp habitats such as on sand, rocks, tree trunks, in
water and among other plants found in filed and
marshes, while others are confined to specific
environments such as acidic and alkaline soils (Del
Rosario, 1986). Some species growing on fallen logs in
temperate deciduous forest exhibit various degrees of
habitat specificity, while others inhabit on unweathered
rocks, decayed leaves and stems (Mcalister, 1997).

Plant habit of Aerobryopsis wallichii,

epiphytic on tree branches
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 15

Mosses also have different mechanisms they use

for acquiring nutrients. Some are able to take up nutrients
from water flowing over them, thus they have very
effective absorptive surfaces. Other mosses, such as
Polytrichum, sequester nutrients directly from the soil or
substrate on which they are growing and transfer the
nutrients to their growing tips. With this in mind it is
observed that the physical and chemical nature of the
substrate as well as its water holding capacity is extremely
important in the growth and development of mosses.

The plant habit of giant moss, Dawsonia superba,

a Polytricum that thrive in soil and thick litter.

Life Cycle of Mosses

Mosses differ from other plant groups in their life cycle. By „ life cycle‟ here we mean the
series of events from the time a moss spore germinates to the time the plant produces new spores,
and which involves an alternation of sexual and asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction
involves the union of cells which are specialized for reproduction; these cells are called gametes
or sex cells. On the other hand, asexual reproduction does not involved sex cells. Asexual
reproduction in moss involves another kind of cells which are specialized for reproduction but
which do not have sex; these cells are called spores.

Figure 2. Life Cycle of a moss

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Meiosis takes place inside the sporangium,
which is borne at the end of a stalk attached to the
apical end of the gametophyte, and haploid spores are
produced. The sporangium opens up, and the spores (N)
are released. They are dispersed most commonly by
wind. (Figure 2a.)

Figure 2a.

Protonema
Spores eventually reach soil, a plant, or some
other surface where they germinate via mitosis
into a tiny threadlike protonema (N).
(Figure 2b.) The protonema is a threadlike phase
in the development of the gametophyte. It
resembles a filamentous alga in appearence, and
can become quite extensive in moist areas before
producing the leafy part.

Figure 2b.

The archegonium

Egg cells are produced via mitosis inside

female reproductive structures called archegonia,
also located at the tip of the leafy gametophyte.
Sperms find their way into the archegonium,
where the egg cell is fertilized to produce a diploid
(2N) zygote. (Figure 2c.)

Figure 2c.
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The antheridium

The gametophyte produces haploid sperm via

mitosis inside structures called antheridia that are
located at the tip of the leafy gametophyte.

Sperms find their way into the archegonium,

where the egg cell is fertilized to produce a diploid
(2N) zygote. The zygote develops into the
sporophyte, which consists of the stalk and
sporangal capsule, thus completing the life cycle.
(Figure 2d.)

Figure 2d.

Showing sporophyte and gametophyte

In bryophytes, the sporophyte lives on the

female gametophyte, as shown here with
Mnium. (Figure 2e.)

Sporophyte (sporangium and stalk)

Gametophyte (haploid)

Figure 2e.
 18

Data A. Determination of the Physical Parameters ( Air temperature and Relative

humidity affecting the growth of mosses

1. Air Temperature

Trial T1 ( 0C) T2 ( 0C) T3 ( 0C) Average( 0C)

Temperature

2. Relative Humidity

Upper Trial 1 ( 0C) Trial 2 ( 0C) Trial 3 ( 0C) Average( 0C)

Location
Dry Bulb

Wet Bulb

Guide Questions:

1. Cite reasons why do mosses are limited to moist environment.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. If the air temperature cools further, what do you think will happen to its relative humidity?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 19

3. Which generation of mosses is more easily seen? Why?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

4. Which of the two generations of mosses has an independent supply of food?

________________Why?____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

5. Which of the two generations last longer?___________________ Why?________________

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

6. Which of the two generations is considered dominant?

_________________________________________

Generalizations:
 20

Self-Test

Part I. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of which corresponds to the correct answer for each item. Write
your answer on the space before the number.

_____1. Which of the given reproduction that does not involve sex cells?
a. Sexual reproduction c. Sporophyte reproduction
b. Gametophyte reproduction d. Asexual reproduction

_____2. The female organ of mosses is called

a. archegonium b. sporangium c. antheridium d. protonema

_____3. Which of the following describe a bryophyte?

a. dissolved substances move usually simply through diffusion from cell to cell
b. contain xylem and phloem in conducting water and dissolved food.
c. aquatic, few are terrestrial
d. have true roots, stems and leaves

_____4. The following are parts of sporophyte generation of a moss, except:

a. spores b. leaves c. calyptra d. stalk

_____5. Which factors may greatly influence the abundance of mosses in their habitats?
a. presence of dissolved gases
b. presence of plants and animals
c. presence of water and sunlight
d. presence of sufficient moisture and nutrients

Part II. Application. Arrange the life cycle of mosses according to the sequence of events. Write only the
number on the space provided for. (1 as the first event and 6 as the last event)

______a. Formation of spores inside the capsule and their subsequent release when mature
______b. Production of buds by the protonema and their growth into leafy plants
______c. Production of male and female gametes by leafy plants
______d. Fertilization of an egg by a sperm
______e. Germination of the spore into a protonema
______d. Development of the fertilized egg into a slender stalk with capsule
 21

References:

AZUELO, A. G. 2005. Bryophytes Flora of Mt. Malindang, Misamis Occidental,

Philippines. Ph.D. Unpublished Dissertation Thesis, CMU.

BOLD, H. C. et al. 1980. Morphology of Plants and Fungi.4th ed. New York: Harper and
Row.

MULLER, W.H. Botany; A Functional Approach.1979. 4th ed. New York Mac Millan
Pub. Co., Inc.

PIIPO, S., Tan, B.C., Murphy, D.H. and Juslen, A. A Guide to the Common Liverworts
and Hornworts of Singapore. 2002. Singapore Science Center.

RABAGO, L.M. et al. Science and Technology 2. 1st ed. 1996. Quezon City. Vibal
Publishing House.pp.140-143.

Technology link:

www. Scidiv.bcc.ctc.educ/rkr/Botany110/lectures/bryophytes.html

Wikipedia.2006.bryophtes.

http://hypnea.botany.uwc.ac.za/phylogeny/bioCycles/sporic6.htm