RT Journal Article
T1 Long-term survival of bryophytes underground: an investigation of the diaspore bank of <i>Physcomitrium eurystomum</i> Sendtn.
A1 Callaghan, Des A.
A1 During, Heinjo
A1 Medina Bujalance, Rafael
A1 Yang, Handong
AB Introduction: Bryophyte diaspore banks are a critical aspect of the life strategy of some species yet remain neglected and poorly understood. This study investigated the longevity in natural habitat of the diaspore bank of Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn., a moss species that is threatened with extinction in Europe. Methods: Undisturbed soil cores of 40 cm depth were collected from Langmere, Norfolk, UK, and were split into investigated sediment layers of 1 cm depth. Dating of sediment layers was done by an analysis of radionuclides, and diaspore germination trials of each layer were carried out in a growth chamber. DNA barcoding was used to help identify plants that germinated. Key results and conclusions: Viable diaspores of Physcomitrium eurystomum frequently occurred in sediment layers that were at least 100 years old and continued to occur in much lower layers that were probably several hundred years old. The long-term survival of bryophytes underground can have important implications for conservation decisions.
PB Taylor and Francis
SN 0373-6687
YR 2022
FD 2022-12
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/126204
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/126204
LA eng
NO Callaghan, D. A., During, H., Medina, R., & Yang, H. (2022). Long-term survival of bryophytes underground: an investigation of the diaspore bank of Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn. Journal of Bryology, 44(3), 208–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/03736687.2022.2151857
NO FundingFunding for the sediment dating was provided by The British Bryological Society. DNA barcoding was funded by the Santander-UCM research grant PR44/21-29930.
NO British Bryological Society
NO Banco Santander
NO Universidad Complutense de Madrid
DS Docta Complutense
RD 30 dic 2025