Uptake of Ca, Mg and K during growth of annual segments of the moss Hylocomium splendens in the field

Abstract

The transfer of Ca, Mg and K between annual segments of Hylocomium splendens and from the underlying organic substratum was investigated in a cross-transplant study. Samples of moss turf only, moss turf plus the organic layer, and organic layer only, were cross-transplanted between a Ca- and Mg-contaminated site close to a lime factory and at an uncontaminated site. During a relatively dry autumn, when growth in biomass was not evident, acropetal transfer of Mg, but not of Ca, from the brown and decaying moss segment was evident. In the subsequent winter to spring period, aerial supply appeared to dominate uptake of Ca and Mg to growing segments. In lime-contaminated moss segments transplanted to the uncontaminated site, Ca and Mg were tightly retained in the green segments, presumably by transfer between old and new tissue, with no evidence of leaching to achieve new chemical equilibria with the environment.