SECRET BEAUTY OF FRESHWATER: ‘‘AQUARIUM MOSSES’’

Abstract

Bryophytes are the oldest of all land plants and are believed to be the closest remaining link
between land and aquatic plants. Their soft tissue makes fossil records bleak but the oldest evidence
that has so far been found can be dated back to almost 500 million years ago. Spore-like structures of
a liverwort were found in Argentinian rock dated to 473-471 million years old. The first evidence of
mosses appears much more recently between fossils aged between 299-250 million years old. Due to
the poor preservation of Bryophyte species, it is quite possible that the Bryophytes are significantly
older.
The bryophytes are the second largest group, exceeded only by the Magnoliophyta – the
flowering plants (350,000 species). Their nearest algal relatives appear to be members of the
Charophyta. Bryophytes are generally considered the first land plants. The role of bryophytes in the
ecosystem is significant despite their small size.
Aquatic mosses are generally chosen for their aesthetic qualities; they can also contribute to
improved water quality. As photosynthesizing plants, aquatic mosses absorb nutrients in your
aquarium water, including nitrates, from the water column. Where other plants require high light
levels to accomplish this, or a regular fertilizing regime, aquatic mosses are effective nitrate removers
without high light levels or fertilizer.