00:00Majestic trees and colorful flowers need to move over a bit, because the unsung hero of
00:05the plant world has emerged from the shadows – moss.
00:10The humble green carpet of nature is not to be underestimated.
00:14In a new study, scientists have finally cracked the moss code and revealed just how crucial
00:19these tiny botanical wonders are for ecosystems worldwide.
00:24Researchers scoured over a hundred sites across eight different ecosystems on a moss-hunting
00:29expedition that would make even Indiana Jones envious.
00:33Their findings revealed that moss cover an astonishing 3.6 million square miles, which
00:39is equivalent to the vastness of Canada, eh?
00:43What makes these mosses so unique?
00:46For starters, they don't have the fancy plumbing system that ordinary plants feature.
00:51Instead, these cheeky mosses survive by cleverly sipping water from the atmosphere.
00:57Think of moss as nature's own little water-absorbing sponges.
01:01Some mosses, particularly those found in the dry regions of Australia, have mastered the
01:06art of survival.
01:08When the going gets tough and water becomes scarce, they don't perish like other plants.
01:13Instead, these mosses curl up into a tight ball and enter a state of suspended animation.
01:19They go into the state similar to hibernation.
01:22Scientists have even studied mosses that have been chilling in a packet for a whopping
01:26century.
01:27They gave them a splash of water, and voila, they spring back to life, defying the laws
01:33of plant decomposition.
01:35But what about their impact on the environment, you ask?
01:39These green superheroes play a vital role in nutrient cycling, giving elements like
01:44nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter a serious boost.
01:49Their soils were compared to non-mossy soils in the study.
01:52And let's just say the mossy ones were way better.
01:55They very efficiently juggle nutrients and store away massive amounts of carbon, a pesky
02:00element that causes trouble when it overloads our atmosphere.
02:04But here's the moss icing on the cake.
02:07They're also great at keeping pesky pathogens in check.
02:11The scientists found that areas with moss had fewer potential plant diseases lurking
02:16in the soil.
02:17Now, let's talk about the landscaping skills of moss.
02:21These tangle-rooted plants are nature's soil engineers, holding everything together
02:25like a green construction crew.
02:28Their shallow roots create a stable surface for a large array of plant life to flourish,
02:33paving the way for complex ecosystems to thrive.
02:37When it comes to places where trees fear to tread, like deserts and tundras, mosses step
02:42up to the plate.
02:44These resilient organisms dominate these challenging environments, providing much-needed biodiversity
02:50and life where trees dare not venture.
02:53High-density mosses create lush mats and turfs that contribute to the richness of the soil
02:59and ecosystems in these seemingly inhospitable regions.
03:03There's one last trick up the moss's sleeve.
03:06After major disturbances, like volcanic eruptions that leave the land barren and desolate, guess
03:11who's the first to make a comeback?
03:14Alongside resilient cyanobacteria and algae, mosses quickly colonize the unlucky landscape,
03:21kick-starting the process of regeneration.
03:25Some mosses are total light superheroes too.
03:27That's because they can rapidly adapt to low-light conditions.
03:31They even have an audacity to grow in caves!
03:35One particular moss species is dubbed the Dragon's Gold.
03:39This moss knows how to put on a show, shining bright in a stunning emerald green.
03:44How does it manage to be so luminescent, you ask?
03:47Well, first off, we have the Protonyma, these amazing thread-like structures that sprout
03:52from a moss spore.
03:54Inside these little wonders, special cells gather together like a mossy team huddle,
03:59making sure they soak up every bit of light that's available.
04:03And if that wasn't enough, some lens-shaped cells participate too, giving the light a
04:07little focus.
04:09And shine they do!
04:11When light bounces off, it creates a mesmerizing green luminous glow.
04:15It's like having your own personal light show, courtesy of Mother Nature.
04:19It's so incredible that some people in Japan decided to make a natural monument dedicated
04:25to this plant.
04:27Mosses aren't just here to make caves look magical.
04:29They're also great homes for some pretty cool critters.
04:33Take the spotted turtles in Ontario, Canada, for example.
04:37When the weather hits with its frosty fury and temperatures drop to insane lows, these
04:42turtles cozy up under a type of moss called smagma.
04:46Thankfully, you don't have to travel to Canada to see these amazing mosses in action.
04:51You can also find them in the UK.
04:54Smagma mosses are like spongy carpets, covering the ground of heaths and marshes.
04:59One study focused on plant evolution also claims moss was the very first plant on Earth.
05:05Well, at least technically.
05:07Back in the day, Earth was like this bare, bald planet with no sign of those lush green
05:13lochs we're so accustomed to.
05:15No shrubbery, no trees, not even a smidgen of grass to break the monotony.
05:20Initially, scientists thought that the first plants to venture onto land out of the Earth's
05:25waters were a bunch of simpletons.
05:27However, this piece of research flips the script.
05:30It turns out those early pioneers were far from basic.
05:34They were actually pretty complex.
05:37As it turns out, amidst the barren expanse, these amazing plants, namely mosses, hornworts,
05:43and liverworts, emerged as the true pioneers of plant life on land.
05:48Now I know what you're thinking, but wait, aren't liverworts those slimy, squishy things
05:53I find in my garden after a rainstorm?
05:56Well, yes they are, but don't let their unassuming appearance fool you.
06:02While some consider moss to be a nuisance when it comes to their gardening preferences,
06:07it can actually be a fantastic addition to your outdoor oasis.
06:10The best part about having a mossy garden?
06:13You have complete control over how it looks.
06:16You can grow moss as a surface base, perch it on a ledge, or even attach it to rocks
06:21for that authentic rainforest vibe.
06:24You can also bring the mossy magic indoors by growing it in containers, terrariums, or
06:29on green walls.
06:32Before you embark on your moss-growing adventure, let's talk about the different types of
06:36moss you can use.
06:38We've got Acrocarpus moss, a type of moss that grows vertically and has these cute little
06:43stems that shoot out like floral fireworks.
06:46It's delicate, so be careful not to disturb it or step on it.
06:50On the other hand, there's also another type you can use at home called Pleurocarpus moss,
06:55which is more like a fern and spreads wider, like a cozy carpet.
06:59This one can handle a bit of foot traffic and external disruptions.
07:06Why choose moss over other types of plants?
07:09Well, first off, it's low-maintenance.
07:11Say goodbye to those endless hours spent watering and tending to your garden.
07:16It can survive for months without water, and even if it dries up, it usually bounces back
07:21on its own.
07:23Unlike other plants that guzzle up water and rely on fertilizers, moss is content with
07:27minimal moisture and doesn't need any chemicals to thrive.
07:32So not only will you be saving water, but you'll also be preventing harmful substances
07:37from seeping into the soil and wreaking havoc on Mother Nature.
07:41Moss is also a natural air purifier.
07:44When you grow moss indoors, it acts as a biofiltration system.
07:48It absorbs nasty particles, transforms them into clean air, and releases them back into
07:54your space.
07:56Now that you're convinced of the mossy wonders, let's talk about timing.
08:00The best moment to grow moss is in the early days of spring.
08:04That's when the sunbeams come in at a lower angle, and the ground is still moist from
08:08the winter rains and snow.
08:10For indoor moss growing, the choice is yours.
08:13Just make sure to provide your moss with some access to sunlight and water, and keep an
08:18eye on the temperature in your space.
08:20It might be a bit tricky depending on where your house is located or how much sunlight
08:25you have available.
08:27But don't worry, with a little bit of planning and effort, you can create the perfect cozy
08:32environment for your indoor moss to thrive.
08:35And let's not forget about the wonderful world of terrariums.
08:39If you want to create your own mossy miniature landscape, a terrarium is the way to go.
08:44All you need is a glass container, some pebbles, a dash of granulated charcoal, potting soil,
08:51and a piece of mossy carpet.
08:53And finally, remember to stay away from rolling stones.
08:57They gather no… well, you know.
08:59That's it for today, so hey, if you pacified your curiosity, then give the video a like
09:05and share it with your friends!
09:06Or if you want more, just click on these videos and stay on the Bright Side!
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