Can bryophyte groups increase functional resolution in tundra ecosystems?

Abstract

The relative contribution of bryophytes to plant diversity, primary productivity, and ecosystem functioning increases towards colder climates. Bryophytes respond to environmental changes at the species level, but because bryophyte species are relatively difficult to identify, they are often lumped into one functional group. Consequently, bryophyte function remains poorly resolved. Here, we explore how higher resolution of bryophyte functional diversity can be encouraged and implemented in tundra ecological studies.
 We briefly review previous bryophyte functional classifications and the roles of bryophytes in tundra ecosystems and their susceptibility to environmental change. Based on shoot morphology and colony organization, we then propose twelve easily distinguishable bryophyte functional groups. To illustrate how bryophyte functional groups can help elucidate variation in bryophyte effects and responses, we compiled existing data on water holding capacity, a key bryophyte trait. Although plant functional groups, can mask potentially high inter- and intraspecific variability, we found better separation of bryophyte functional group means compared to previous grouping systems regarding water holding capacity. This suggests that our bryophyte functional groups truly represent variation in the functional roles of bryophytes in tundra ecosystems. Lastly, we provide recommendations to improve monitoring of bryophyte community changes in tundra study sites.

Siberian environmental change: Synthesis of recent studies and opportunities for networking

“…Within Russia, there is a great expertise in taxonomy and systematics. While many researchers are developing methods to classify bryophytes into functional groups for studying ecosystem-level processes because of difficulty of identification in the field (Lett et al 2021, Siberian researchers focus on detailed species-level identifications (e.g. Volkova et al 2021) which adds to the understanding of baseline biodiversity and current dynamics.…”

Comparison of methods for revegetation of vehicle tracks in High Arctic tundra on Svalbard

“…Bryophyte sods have been used with considerable success in assisted revegetation of tundra wetlands affected by vehicle tracks in the Canadian High Arctic (Forbes 1993). This shows that we need a better understanding of the highly significant bryophyte component when conducting future studies on regeneration of High Arctic disturbances (Lett et al 2021;Mörsdorf and Cooper 2021).…”

Pilot Studies of the Unique Highland Palsa Mire in Western Sayan (Tuva Republic, Russian Federation)

“…In line with previous studies in mountain regions of Siberia [44], our study has revealed that the plant communities of bryophytes could be better indicators of environmental conditions than that of the vascular plants. The relative contribution of bryophytes to plant diversity, net primary production of mires, and ecosystem functions increases towards colder climates, and local permafrost of the mountain palsa mire accelerate this effect [75].…”