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Can bryophytes survive dry periods?

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Thick green bryophyte moss covers the trunks of three oak trees in a forest, with fallen leaves on the ground. — Bryophyte Bryophyte moss growing on oak trees.

Yes, many bryophytes are remarkably tolerant of extended periods of dryness. While they typically lose water rapidly through evaporation, certain species can survive these dry spells and will quickly resume photosynthesis once moisture returns to their environment.12

Although the specific biological mechanisms that allow for this tolerance remain a subject of scientific debate, this ability enables them to inhabit a wide range of environments, including those that are not constantly humid.1