Mosses In The Pacific Northwest

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Mosses can be abundantly found in the Pacific Northwest and have many important roles in the ecosystems they live in. Mosses are able to retain large amounts of water, which is especially useful in the typically moist environments they’re found in. Not only do they retain large amounts of water, they can retain many different nutrients, so can act as sustenance or habitats for other organisms. Mosses are especially important because they are bioindicators. They can tell us about air pollution and “acid rain damage to an ecosystem” (Whitbeck, 2000).
The unique characteristics of moss make them suitable habitats for a variety of invertebrates. The air spaces in the mosses either allow them to hold water or host organisms. Mosses maintain consistent