Unexpected Winners of Climate Change: The Rise of Mosses

Abstract This study investigates the impact of climate change on the geographic distribution and ecological roles of terrestrial mosses. Given their remarkable adaptability, we anticipate that climate change will enable terrestrial mosses to expand across a wider geographic range. Mosses possess a remarkable ability to withstand dehydration and quickly resume the process of photosynthesis, which allows them to thrive and adapt effectively in the face of fluctuating climatic conditions. Mosses also have a significant impact on ecosystem equilibrium. Their crucial function in the global carbon cycle is defined by their ability to sequester carbon, particularly in places dominated by mosses such as peatlands. This study demonstrates that land mosses have the capacity to fulfill a crucial function in maintaining ecosystem sustainability and managing carbon levels in the face of climate change. Mosses could potentially restore the vigor and variety lost due to climate change, thereby restoring everything to its previous state.