Roles of Bryophytes in Aquatic Ecology
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 481
Special Issue Editor
Interests: environmental monitoring; environmental impact assessment; environmental pollution; water quality; air quality; river and lake ecology; aquatic macrophytes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Bryophytes are poikilohydrous organisms, rely entirely on water absorption through leaves, and respond diversely to repeated droughts of varying duration. Peculiarities in their morphology and anatomy, such as the absence of the epidermis and cuticle or their strong reduction, single-layered leaves, poorly developed conducting tissues, and absence of a root system, determine a significant resistance, which, in many cases, is more emphasized compared to that of most phanerogams.
Bryophytes are among the best adapted plants, especially in habitats with extreme conditions. Due to their small size, they largely reflect microenvironmental conditions, e.g., the microclimate, soil development, and chemical composition.
Aquatic bryophytes are unique organisms and have exceptional survival strategies and ecological adaptations. They affect aquatic habitats in various aspects; for example, they optimize physical structure by providing a larger area for the periphyton’s development. Bryophytes are also considered to influence the structure of invertebrate communities by providing habitats for colonization and food sources: epiphytes and retained organic matter (detritus), and last but not least, by acting as a refuge from predators or strong currents.
Aquatic bryophytes are widely used worldwide to assess the quality of surface flowing or stagnant waters due to their capacity to accumulate a number of pollutants. The wide geographical distribution of some species allows comparative observations to be carried out under different aquatic environments. Original research articles and reviews, communications, and short notes on unique aquatic bryophytes are welcome.
Dr. Gana Gecheva
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- aquatic bryophytes
- freshwater
- ecological factors
- stressors
- adaption
- biomonitors
