Moss species for bioreceptive concrete: A survey of epilithic urban moss communities and their dynamics
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Research into bioreceptive materials is gaining increased interest. However, while advances are being made on the material side of bioreceptivity, the underlying ecology of urban mosses is still underexposed. This research, through a field survey of 137 moss communities on concrete in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, aimed to determine how the local environment affects species composition of urban epilithic moss communities and assess which moss species are most suitable for the colonisation of pristine (bioreceptive) concrete surfaces. A total of 26 different species were found, of which the acrocarp species Tortula muralis, Grimmia pulvinata, Bryum capillare, and Orthotrichum diaphanum and the pleurocarp species Brachytecium rutabulum, Hypnum cupressiforme, and Rhynchostegium confertum acted as most common pioneers and also formed a part of the climax community. We found some positive associations between acrocarp species but negative associations between acrocarp and pleurocarp species. Local environmental factors only played a small role in the community composition at a species level; however, when comparing acrocarp and pleurocarp species, the former preferred more exposed sites, whereas the latter preferred more shaded habitats. As such, we recommend that bioreceptive concrete structures use acrocarp pioneers for exposed locations and pleurocarp pioneers for more shaded locations.
Source: Ecological Engineering
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,650
OpenAlex ID: W4405732193