I am an undergraduate student from the University of Cumbria in England studying Woodland Ecology and Conservation, currently on a placement year to get experience in forest research. My love for being in forests started developing from a young age and that led to a desire to learn and understand the functioning of forest ecosystems, their ecology and dynamics. I am interested in using this knowledge to work in conservation of unique habitats on the macro- and micro- levels to protect sensitive, specialised species with unique phenotypes, by understanding their dynamism with nature and how they may adapt to an ever-changing world.
Bryophytes have always been something that have drew me in, because of their beauty. Attending university has enabled me to delve into the world of bryology and how moss species function in forest ecosystems. The forests of Finland are well known for their moss-covered floors. This grant from the Lammi Research Foundation provided a perfect opportunity for me to undertake my first research project at Lammi Biological Research Station.
Matthew Robson’s research group the Canopy Spectral Ecology and Ecophysiology (CanSEE) studies changes in the spectral composition of solar radiation in the forest understorey and examines how plant species perceive and process changes in radiation in different environments. This research has been an essential foundation and platform for my own research interests.
The forest surrounding Lammi Biological Station was the site for this research project which builds on past research (Durand, Daviaud & Robson, 2024) on how autumn phenology differently affects the carbon sequestration and pigmentation in understorey species. While that study focused on the response of tree seedlings and forbs to patterns of solar radiation, my study concentrated on mosses growing under three different dominant tree species of Norway spruce (Picea abies), silver birch (Betula pendula) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur).
My goals were to identify the main understorey moss species and their cover in each stand. This enabled me to investigate how the biodiversity, ecology and ecophysiology of mosses is affected by the changing light environment created by the different dominant tree species over the summer to autumn phenology. By measuring the photosynthetic efficiency of the mosses, I could also show how stand type affects their carbon sequestration.
To do this research I was learnt to use new tools and ecophysiological techniques in measuring chlorophyll fluorescence: the FluorPen (Photon Systems Instruments) and MiniPam-II (WALZ Instruments). I used the FluorPen measure chlorophyll a fluorescence without dark adaptation and to measure real time changes in photosynthetic efficiency of the mosses in situ. This allowed for comparison between the species both in shade and sunflecks in each stand. I used the Mini-Pam-II in the laboratory to obtain light-response curves to estimate the initial quantum yield of Photosystem II for the main bryophyte species present. This allowed me to assess the photosynthetic capacity of the moss following dark adaptation Fv/Fm (max quantum yield of PSII).
Lower values of Fv/Fm suggest stress due to high solar radiation (or other environmental factors). Both devices allowed me to compare how well moss species photosynthesize under different light conditions in the sun versus the shade and to identify which species are better adapted to high or low light conditions.
Another tool I used is the Accupar LP-80, a ceptometer designed to compare simultaneous above- and below-canopy light measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). I took measurements in both cloudy and sunny conditions allowing me to compare the light environment created by the dominant tree species. I was able to estimate how much light was transmitted to the forest floor in my study plots in each stand, from which I could learn the effect of dominant canopy species phenology.
Additionally, I used the Optris Lasersight infrared thermometer to record soil and bryophyte temperatures in both sunflecks and shade. This provides information on the temperatures that the moss can reach in the sun/shade, which is useful to estimate how moss cover influences the microclimate conditions and to investigate the relationship between temperature and photosynthetic efficiency.
The most time-consuming and challenging part (other than befriending the mosquitoes) was the identification of the moss species, as I am still a beginner. I was fortunate to have Henrik Lindberg assist my identification to suggest the identity of species I was not familiar with.
Towards the end of my project, the UNEP EEAP Panel meeting on interactive effects of climate change and ozone depletion was held at LBS and I got to meet members of the Panel. One Panel Member, Roy Mackenzie, taught me microscope skills, and how to collect metadata and set up a sheet for bryophyte sampling and collection. This gave me the information and skills I need to engage with the bryology community in the future. I also met Sharon Robinson from whom I got to learn about the moss research in the Antarctic!
What can the results of the study/data collection be used for? I would like this research to contribute to understanding of the effects of climate change on moss and forests ecosystems, and how moss contributes to ecosystem functioning in the boreal forest.
I learnt a lot from this project on personal and professional levels which will help me to grow in ways as I start my career in research.