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Why are bryophytes important in Arctic and Antarctic wetlands?

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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.

In Arctic and Antarctic regions, bryophytes—particularly mosses—are ecologically significant because they often dominate the vegetation cover in wetlands and areas where snowmelt provides moisture during the growing season.1

Their importance in these environments includes:

Vegetation Control: By forming extensive mats, they dictate the vegetation patterns and dynamics of associated plant species.1
Nutrient Cycling: They play a fundamental role in nutrient cycling by capturing limited precipitation and airborne minerals, which can make these nutrients unavailable to seed plants.1
Hydrological Influence: Bryophytes are essential to the development of wetland habitats. They act like sponges, absorbing and holding vast quantities of water, which helps control the hydrology and water table of the surrounding landscape.1
Environmental Adaptation: Many bryophytes are uniquely tolerant of freezing and dryness, allowing them to rapidly resume photosynthesis when moisture becomes available.1