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Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition
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Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2357

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Marko Sabovljevic

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Guest Editor
Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Takovska 43, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: bryophytes; bryophyte biology; conservation biology; conservation ecology and conservation physiology of plants; ex situ; plant ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to submit short communications, research, or review articles to a Special Issue of Plants entitled “Bryophyte Biology 2”.

Bryophytes, the second biggest group of terrestrial plants, receive quite a bit less attention compared to tracheophytes. Even though their ancestors were among the first land plants, we still have quite limited information on the biology of these fascinating organisms. The lack of knowledge is noticeable in any subarea of bryophyte science: from taxonomy, ecology, physiology, biogeography, biochemistry, and molecular biology to applied sciences such as pharmacy, medicine, or bionics. After the rather successful Special Issue “Bryophyte Biology”, we have launched “Bryophyte Biology 2” with aim of exchanging novel research achievements and modern views as well as of bringing bryophytes closer to a wider scientific audience.

Prof. Dr. Marko Sabovljevic
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mosses
  • liverworts
  • hornworts
  • bryology
  • bryophytes
  • bryophyta
  • seedless plants

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 2633 KB  
Article
Tortula murciana (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta), a New Species from Mediterranean Mountains
by Rosa M. Ros, Olaf Werner, Jesús Muñoz and Mahmoud Magdy
Plants 2025, 14(24), 3861; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243861 - 18 Dec 2025
Viewed by 149
Abstract
The genus Tortula is one of the most diverse and morphologically complex groups within Pottiaceae. This study presents both morphological and phylogenetic evidence for the recognition of a new species, T. murciana, within the T. subulata complex. The new species is distinguished [...] Read more.
The genus Tortula is one of the most diverse and morphologically complex groups within Pottiaceae. This study presents both morphological and phylogenetic evidence for the recognition of a new species, T. murciana, within the T. subulata complex. The new species is distinguished by a unique combination of traits, including a translucent leaf lamina, upper laminal cells with 3–7 simple, wart-like papillae (verrucae), and middle laminal cells 16–24(35) µm wide, that are much higher near the costa than at the leaf margins. The ventral epidermal cells of the costa at mid-leaf are quadrate to spherical and inflated. The costa is robust, up to 140 µm wide at mid-leaf and papillose on the dorsal side. The apical cell of the apiculus is typically hyaline and often deciduous. The leaf border is usually absent or poorly developed. The basal membrane of the peristome is 0.70–0.90 mm long, with a reticulate pattern where the lumina are delimited by strongly developed muri ornamented with globose clusters of ear-like lobes (auricles). Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ITS region places T. murciana within the T. subulata complex, clearly distinguishing it from T. mucronifolia and T. subulata var. graeffii, with which it shares the closest morphological similarity. Although most specimens can be identified morphologically, some remain difficult to name, making them a semi-cryptic species. The new species is formally diagnosed, described, illustrated, and compared to similar taxa. A key to all species in the complex is also provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 1060 KB  
Article
Hydration–Dehydration Dynamics in the Desiccation-Tolerant Moss Hedwigia ciliata
by Pragya Singh, Djordje P. Božović, Deepti Routray, Michal Goga, Martin Bačkor and Marko S. Sabovljević
Plants 2025, 14(24), 3849; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243849 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 147
Abstract
The desiccation tolerant moss Hedwigia ciliata was investigated to assess its early reaction to water stress in controlled conditions. Thus, various photosynthetic parameters and water contents were studied during a selected time frame within 48 h of two main events, namely water loss [...] Read more.
The desiccation tolerant moss Hedwigia ciliata was investigated to assess its early reaction to water stress in controlled conditions. Thus, various photosynthetic parameters and water contents were studied during a selected time frame within 48 h of two main events, namely water loss after full hydration and activity (preparation for anabiosis) and water uptake after the state of anabiosis. The observations of the changes in the photosynthetic efficiency of Hedwigia ciliata in response to fluctuating relative water contents (RWCs) during rehydration and dehydration periods provide valuable insights into the species’ physiological adaptation mechanisms. Hedwigia ciliata rapidly uptakes water upon anabiosis, and despite being poikilohydric, it is able to retain water for a prolonged period compared to the water availability in its immediate environment. The delayed decrease in relative water content (RWC) corresponds to the photosynthetic parameters and preparation for anabiosis, including the maintenance of photosystems and general cell integrity. The low values of non-photochemical quenching during desiccation imply limited photoinhibition and effective photoprotective regulation. Conversely, the rather high values of the fluorescence decline ratio during rehydration reflect the efficient recovery of photosynthetic performance. The postponed physiological shutdown while drying and photosynthetic activity in the early dehydration phase suggest anticipatory acclimation to desiccation, i.e., non-active phase anabiosis. Hedwigia ciliata is a desiccation-tolerant moss, with anatomical, morphological, and eco-physiological adaptations, making it a useful model species in drought and abiotic stress studies of bryophytes in a rapidly changing environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 3915 KB  
Communication
Large-Scale Illegal Bryophyte Harvesting in Protected Areas of East-Central Europe, Hungary: Conservation Implications
by Péter Szűcs, Sándor Rózsa and Marianna Marschall
Plants 2025, 14(24), 3785; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243785 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 306
Abstract
This study provides the first detailed documentation of large-scale illegal bryophyte harvesting within a European nature conservation site. Forested areas of Northeast Hungary are recurrently affected by such activities, with several cases already resulting in official criminal proceedings. Although commercial bryophyte harvesting is [...] Read more.
This study provides the first detailed documentation of large-scale illegal bryophyte harvesting within a European nature conservation site. Forested areas of Northeast Hungary are recurrently affected by such activities, with several cases already resulting in official criminal proceedings. Although commercial bryophyte harvesting is not explicitly prohibited within the European Union, it is indirectly constrained by the conservation framework of the Habitats Directive. Our objective was to assess the conservation biological consequences of removing a substantial volume (296 kg air-dry weight; 8.7 m3) of bryophytes. Sixteen bryophyte species, including one liverwort and fifteen mosses, were identified in the confiscated material. Harvesters primarily target Hypnum cupressiforme, a moss species favored for decorative wreath production, with demand increasing prior to All Souls’ Day in Hungary. Illegal collectors typically operate in small groups within forest stands proximal to settlements, concentrating their activity on the bark of Quercus trees and andesite rock surfaces. Terricolous bryophytes and associated soil substrates were entirely absent from the collected material. Comparative analysis revealed that the bryophyte flora of the affected forest stands is more diverse than that represented in the harvested samples. This indiscriminate illegal bryophyte harvest threatens protected forest habitats and necessitates improved monitoring and stricter enforcement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 1289 KB  
Article
Range Dynamics of the Moss Pohlia cruda in Italy Under Different Climate Change Scenarios
by Giulia Bacilliere, Djordje P. Božović, Marko S. Sabovljević and Marta Puglisi
Plants 2025, 14(23), 3640; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233640 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 317
Abstract
Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb. is a cryophilous moss species with a boreo-arctic montane distribution. As global temperatures continue to rise, high-mountain plant species are increasingly forced to migrate to higher elevations to remain within their ecological and physiological tolerance limits. In this study, [...] Read more.
Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb. is a cryophilous moss species with a boreo-arctic montane distribution. As global temperatures continue to rise, high-mountain plant species are increasingly forced to migrate to higher elevations to remain within their ecological and physiological tolerance limits. In this study, we applied ensemble species-distribution modeling (SDM) to evaluate the future niche availability of P. cruda in Italy under two greenhouse gas-emission scenarios and two time periods (2050 and 2090). Projections under the intermediate emission scenario (SSP2-4.5) indicate a habitat loss ranging from −24.1% to −46.7%, whereas predictions under the very high emission of greenhouse gases (SSP5-8.5) suggest even greater losses, between −28.1% and −59.9%. These findings point to a substantial reduction, fragmentation, and potential disappearance of suitable habitats for P. cruda in the coming decades. This study represents a pioneering application of bryophyte-distribution modeling for the territory of Italy and provides a foundation for integrating such approaches into conservation decisions aimed at preserving biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition)
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47 pages, 78788 KB  
Article
Bryophyte Diversity in the Khaybar White Volcano Geopark (Saudi Arabia)—Floristic Patterns and Conservation Perspectives
by Vincent Hugonnot, Florine Pépin and Jan Freedman
Plants 2025, 14(22), 3423; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223423 - 8 Nov 2025
Viewed by 533
Abstract
Recent bryological surveys conducted at the Khaybar White Volcano site (northwest Saudi Arabia) led to the documentation of 51 bryophyte species, including five liverworts and 46 mosses. Representing approximately 30% of the national bryophyte flora within less than 0.3% of the country’s surface, [...] Read more.
Recent bryological surveys conducted at the Khaybar White Volcano site (northwest Saudi Arabia) led to the documentation of 51 bryophyte species, including five liverworts and 46 mosses. Representing approximately 30% of the national bryophyte flora within less than 0.3% of the country’s surface, this site emerged as a regional hotspot of bryological diversity. A systematic catalog was compiled, presenting the biogeography, local distribution, demography, fertility, taxonomy and ecology of all recorded taxa. Notably, two Arabian endemics—Crossidium deserti and Tortula mucronifera—were identified in Khaybar, alongside six previously unknown on the Arabian Peninsula (Anoectangium euchloron, Geheebia erosa, Grimmia capillata, Molendoa sendteriana, Pterygoneurum subsessile, and Ptychostomum torquescens) and six species newly recorded for Saudi Arabia (Anoectangium aestivum, Husnotiella revoluta, Syntrichia pagorum, Tortella nitida, Tortula lindbergii, and Tuerckheimia svihlae). These findings highlighted the conservation value of Khaybar, whose unique geothermal microhabitats (active fumaroles) supported a suite of tropical and thermophilous species otherwise absent in northern Arabia, such as Fissidens sciophyllus, and Plagiochasma eximium. Comparative analysis with the AlUla region revealed a comparable species richness despite Khaybar’s smaller area and indicated substantial ecological divergence. While AlUla’s bryoflora was primarily associated with lithological heterogeneity, Khaybar’s was shaped by geothermal activity. Conservation recommendations emphasize the vulnerability of these specialized bryophyte communities to grazing, trampling, and climate change, and call for long-term monitoring, regulated access, and integration into national biodiversity management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 3044 KB  
Article
Bryophytes of the Loess Cliffs in the Pannonian Area of Austria
by Harald G. Zechmeister and Michaela Kropik
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3128; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203128 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 464
Abstract
Austrian loess cliffs represent unique habitats supporting a rich bryophyte flora, including numerous rare and endangered species. We conducted a comprehensive survey of 86 loess cliff sites in the Pannonian area of Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Vienna, recording 79 bryophyte species. The results [...] Read more.
Austrian loess cliffs represent unique habitats supporting a rich bryophyte flora, including numerous rare and endangered species. We conducted a comprehensive survey of 86 loess cliff sites in the Pannonian area of Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Vienna, recording 79 bryophyte species. The results highlight that Austrian loess cliffs, despite their small spatial extent, are key refugia for light-demanding, desiccation-tolerant bryophytes. Hilpertia velenovskyi, a critically endangered species, was recorded at six new sites, expanding its known Austrian distribution. Our study also documents the first Austrian occurrences of several Pterygoneurum species. Seven bryophyte communities were distinguished: Aloinetum rigidae, Hilpertio velenovskyi–Pterygoneuretum compacti, and the newly described subassociations Didymodontetum glauci didymodontetosum cordati and Eurhynchietum schleicheri didymodontetosum cordati, as well as Pterygoneuro–Acaulonetum triquetri ass. nov. Multivariate analyses suggest carbonate content as the most consistent environmental driver. Despite their ecological significance, loess cliffs are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, overgrowth by vascular plants, and shading from invasive trees. Our study provides a detailed syntaxonomic and ecological framework for bryophyte communities on loess cliffs, underlining their role as refugia for rare species and the urgent need to protect remaining sites in the Pannonian region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology, 2nd Edition)
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