Research advances in bryophyte ecological function

Though the body of bryophyte is small, its species is abundant (about 23000), being an important part of biodiversity. The previous studies were focused on its taxology, while its ecological functions in ecosystem were ignored. Bryophyte can adapt to various environments, distribute in many extreme surroundings, and has rebuilding ability to environments, It has a very strong ability of holding and absorbing water, especially the epiphytic bryophyte can intercept a great deal of rain, and its function in water circulation is very obvious. Bryophyte can absorb a lot of nutrient elements by body surface, but its function in nutrient cycling was usually ignored. In some extreme environments, bryophyte is the important primary producer. Sphagnum biomass is more enormous, and maybe, is the important C pool. Bryophyte can sensitively response to the air and heavy metal pollution, and is a kind of bio-indicators. In order to promote the further studies on bryophyte ecological function, the related research advances were reviewed in this paper.