Estimation of Moss Harvest Amount and Biomass per Hectare for Sustainable Moss Harvesting in Türkiye

Abstract While moss harvesting is legally permitted in Turkey, the lack of inventory studies in harvested areas puts significant pressure on moss species. Additionally, there are not enough studies on how much moss can be harvested per hectare from well-maintained forest areas. Eldivan Mountain with a size of 4,200 ha was chosen as the study area. In this area, a sampling point was determined every 300 meters. At each point, moss species were detected in an area of 4 m2 on the ground and 50 m2 on the tree. The total identified moss taxa cover an estimated area of approximately 97,216,557 m2, and their air-dry weight is 44,640,972 kilograms. The most widely distributed species on the ground is Syntrichia ruralis with 64,772,801 m2 and 623,268 kg. On the tree, it is Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum with a width of 3,937,266 m2 and 1,448,533 kg. Harvesting of these species is not correct since there is not enough rainfall in Turkey to develop epiphytic moss taxa. For sustainable moss harvest, it is best to harvest 1/3 of its total wealth. For a sustainable moss harvest, it is recommended to harvest 2 tons per hectare in Turkey. In addition, it should be kept in mind that moss harvesting without an inventory study may cause damage to rare, sensitive and endemic moss species.