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Where do bryophytes commonly grow?

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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.

Bryophytes are widely distributed across the globe, ranging from polar and alpine regions to the tropics, though they are most abundant in climates that are constantly humid and equable. Because they lack specialized vascular tissue and a well-developed cuticle to prevent dehydration, they depend on their immediate environment for moisture.12

They commonly grow in moist or wet, shady locations, including:2
* Substrates: They attach to soil, rocks, and the bark or branches of trees and shrubs.23
* Forests: In temperate and subtropical climates, they often form deep carpets on forest floors and can be found festooning tree branches.3
* Wetlands: They are fundamental to the development of wetland habitats, such as peatlands, where they can dominate the landscape.31
* Extreme Environments: While they avoid extremely arid sites and salt water, some species have adapted to aquatic habitats or to surviving dry periods by becoming dormant.21

They are also known to colonize bare rock surfaces, acting as pioneer plants that initiate soil formation.23