Long-term survival of bryophytes underground: an investigation of the diaspore bank of Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn.

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Bryophyte diaspore banks are a critical aspect of the life strategy of some species yet remain neglected and poorly understood. This study investigated the longevity in natural habitat of the diaspore bank of Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn., a moss species that is threatened with extinction in Europe.

Methods

Undisturbed soil cores of 40 cm depth were collected from Langmere, Norfolk, UK, and were split into investigated sediment layers of 1 cm depth. Dating of sediment layers was done by an analysis of radionuclides, and diaspore germination trials of each layer were carried out in a growth chamber. DNA barcoding was used to help identify plants that germinated.

Key results and conclusions

Viable diaspores of Physcomitrium eurystomum frequently occurred in sediment layers that were at least 100 years old and continued to occur in much lower layers that were probably several hundred years old. The long-term survival of bryophytes underground can have important implications for conservation decisions.

KEYWORDS:

• DNA barcoding
• Funariaceae
• germination trial
• lead-210
• sediment core
• spore longevity

Acknowledgements

We wish to express our thanks to the following for various kind help and support: John Birks (University of Bergen), Emily Dimsey (Norfolk Wildlife Trust), Ash Murray (Norfolk Wildlife Trust), Jonathan Preston (Norfolk Wildlife Trust), Neil Rose (University College London) and Betty Verduyn (Utrecht University). We also thank two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest were reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the sediment dating was provided by The British Bryological Society. DNA barcoding was funded by the Santander-UCM research grant PR44/21-29930.

Notes on contributors

Des A. Callaghan

Des Callaghan is a consultant bryologist operating under Bryophyte Surveys Ltd. His research is focused on threatened species, conservation ecology and taxonomy.

Heinjo During

Heinjo During is a retired plant ecologist and bryologist of the Ecology and Biodiversity Group of Utrecht University.

Rafael Medina

Rafael Medina is assistant professor at Complutense University of Madrid. His main research interest is bryophyte and fern systematics.

Handong Yang

Handong Yang is a principal research fellow working at University College London. His main research interest is environmental pollution and sediment dating.