Rocky desertification is the most serious ecological disaster in karst areas. Comprehensive control of rocky desertification plays an important role in promoting the economic development of karst areas. Studying the stoichiometric characteristics of mosses and soil can provide a powerful reference for the ecological restoration and evaluation of ecosystems experiencing rocky desertification. Soil and mosses were collected from sites representing different stages of ecological restoration (bare rock, grassland, shrubland, and secondary forest), and the contents of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) were detected for ecological stoichiometric analysis. The results indicate that in different restoration stages following karst rocky desertification, the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) and the stoichiometric ratios in the shrub habitat are higher than those in the bare rock, grassland, and secondary forest habitats. However, the TP and available P contents were low at all stages (0.06 g/kg and 0.62 mg/kg, respectively). The N and P contents and stoichiometric ratios in the mosses showed no significant differences among the succession stages. The C contents in the mosses had a significant positive correlation with SOC and TN and TP content, and the P content had a significant positive correlation with the soil available P. However, there was a significant negative correlation between the C: N and C:P ratios of the bryophytes and soil C: N. In summary, during the process of natural restoration of karst rocky desertification areas, SOC and soil TN contents accumulate with each succession stage. Soil nutrients are higher in shrub habitats than in other succession stages. Mosses have a strong effect on improving soil nutrients in rocky desertification areas.

The growth and overlay of a large number of bryophytes in the broken soil patches between the exposed bedrocks of karst have an essential influence on the infiltration and runoff process between the exposed bedrocks and even the whole rocky desertification area. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of moss on the infiltration and runoff of soil patches between karst exposed bedrocks and the processes of rainfall, runoff and infiltration transformation on slopes through rainfall experiments. The results showed that the slopes between the karst outcrops are dominated by subsurface and underground pore runoff. More than 50% of precipitation is lost through underground pores, with surface runoff accounting for only 1–17% of the total. Bryophyte overlay significantly reduced the initial runoff from subsurface and underground pore runoff, and advanced the steady-state time of runoff from subsurface and underground pore runoff, suggesting that bryophyte coverage may reduce the risk of soil erosion caused by short-duration rainfall. Eurohypnum has a significant inhibitory effect on percolation between exposed bedrock and reduces rainfall leakage from subsurface and underground pores. Thuidium has a strong intercepting effect on rainfall, significantly reducing the formation of surface runoff and the risk of surface soil erosion. Moss overlay has an essential role in soil and water conservation between karst exposed bedrock, and Eurohypnum and Thuidium can be considered as pioneer mosses for ecological restoration in the process of rocky desertification control and ecological restoration, which can effectively solve the serious problem of soil and water loss in karst rocky desertification area and improve the benefit of soil and water conservation in karst area.