Bryophytes

Mosses, liverworts and hornworts are ancient non-flowering plants known as bryophytes.

They’ve been around for 400 million years.

One of bryophytes’ many benefits is that they absorb and store carbon.

What we need to do and where
Rabbit moss

Rabbit moss Sharon Pilkington

Tiny drooping green heads of moss on thin orange stems, mixed in with grass

Twisting thread moss, Sharon Pilkington

Many-leaved pocket-moss, Dartmoor oak woods Sharon Pilkington

1. About

Bryophytes are a group of ancient non-flowering plants that includes mosses, liverworts and hornworts. Some are found in damp and sheltered environments. Others have adapted to extreme conditions such as heat and drought. They can be found everywhere, from lawns and walls to dunes and rivers. One group of mosses is even found on Devon’s toxic copper mine spoil heaps. 

Bryophytes are often overlooked but play a vital environmental role. They absorb carbon, hold water, help to create peat bogs and provide habitats for microorganisms. They are sensitive to pollution and good indicators of a healthy environment. 

Devon’s diverse range of habitats and mild and wet climate mean around two-thirds of the UK’s 1,000 species of bryophytes are found here.

Some of the most valuable habitats for bryophytes are the wet, acidic peat bogs and mires found on Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Pebblebed Heaths and in the Blackdown Hills. Peat bogs are particularly important for Sphagnum communities, which have a colourful array of different species. Mires fed by groundwater rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium are particularly valuable habitats for Sphagnum mosses. They can support scarce species such as rigid bogmoss (Sphagnum teres) and slender cow-horn bogmoss (Sphagnum subsecundum).

Thirty-five threatened species are listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern. Those identified as Devon Special Species that need specific action or attention are discussed below.

Key pressures and opportunities

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Habitat management

Lack of woodland and grassland management can mean bryophytes get insufficient light or are overgrown by other vegetation. 

Funding (such as agri-environment) and more understanding of the value of bryophytes are opportunities to improve habitat management. 

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Nitrogen

Increased nitrogen from sources such as agriculture (especially poultry and dairy), sewage and vehicles can harm bryophytes by causing algal growth and bleaching or by making the soil too nutrient-rich. There is huge public pressure to reduce pollution. However this is largely focused on water pollution rather than soils. 

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Climate change

Drier and hotter summers can kill moisture-dependent bryophytes, especially those in exposed situations. More frequent and intense rainfall can lead to loss of habitat through flooding, erosion and loss of bank side trees. However, some bryophytes will benefit from climate change.

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Recreation

Erosion caused by high levels of trampling can easily harm tiny bryophytes. However, some species need open habitats which human trampling can help to maintain. Site management should be sensitive to these needs. 

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Water quality

Poor water quality (high levels of dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus, other pollutants and silt) affects bryophytes dependent on clean water. There is now huge public pressure to improve water quality. 

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Conservation projects

Some organisations are focusing conservation efforts to directly or indirectly help bryophytes. See Case studies below and link to the LNRS delivery map. However, many of these projects receive short-term funding. 

2. What we need to do and where

Priority

Increase the abundance and distribution of bryophytes across Devon, particularly those identified as Devon Special Species. 

See Find out more for links to more detailed information on this group including management advice and records.

Devon Special Species

Bryophytes of rainforest river ravines

Read more

The diversity of physical conditions (light, humidity, topography and microhabitats) in these wooded ravines allows a huge range of bryophytes to thrive. They are found on riverbanks, trees, ravine walls and on stones in the rivers. Characteristic species include little shaggy-moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus), western earwort (Scapania gracilis) and prickly featherwort (Plagiochila spinulosa). 

Most species found in this habitat aren’t threatened, but six are listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern. These include river pocket-moss (Fissidens rivularis), found on Exmoor, and Girgensohn’s bog-moss (Sphagnum girgensohnii), found on the upper Dart, the only known site for this species in the south-west. Two are listed as Devon Special Species in their own right. 

Many-leaved pocketmoss

Fissidens polyphyllus

The many-leaved pocket-moss is one of our largest mosses. It’s rare in the UK, so Devon is of high national importance as it’s abundant in Dendle’s Wood National Nature Reserve and ancient woodlands along the River Dart. 

Dumortier’s liverwort

Dumortiera hirsute

Dumortiers liverwort is found scattered along the East Lyn River on Exmoor, within the Watersmeet SSSI, in the River Umber in Combe Martin and a few other sites. It’s vulnerable to pressure from recreation in some places, including Watersmeet, and its habitat lacks statutory protection in Combe Martin.

Actions

Manage and expand ancient woodlands along Dartmoor and Exmoor’s fast-flowing rivers and ensure that rare species are protected from recreational pressure. 

Where to focus action 

High Opportunity Areas: Ancient and other broadleaved woodland (existing) along Dartmoor and Exmoor river valleys. See Mapping

Sand dune bryophytes

Read more

Braunton Burrows and Dawlish Warren dune systems support a group of rare bryophytes. These are easily overgrown by other vegetation and need open habitat that’s maintained by walkers, livestock or even vehicles. Other threats include dune stabilisation, work to restore habitats and sea level rise. 

Five species found in this habitat are listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern. These include spiny-spored pygmy moss (Acaulon mediterraneum), which in Devon is only found at Dawlish Warren. Three are listed as Devon Special Species in their own right. 

Rabbit moss

Cheilothela chloropus

Rabbit moss is a rare coastal moss only found in south Devon and north Somerset. Find out more about this moss in the Torbay limestone grasslands group below.

Large hookmoss

Petalophyllum ralfsii

Large hook-moss has suffered a significant national decline. However, it has recently been rediscovered at Braunton Burrows, one of only a few sites in the south-west.

Petalwort

Petalophyllum ralfsii

Petalwort likes trampled places in low-lying, damp sandy ground in dune slacks. In Devon, there is a population at Braunton Burrows and a smaller one at Dawlish Warren.

Actions

Maintain short, open vegetation and reduce dog fouling to keep fertility low. 

Where to focus action 

High Opportunity Areas: Sand dunes (existing) – Braunton Burrows / Northam Burrows and Dawlish Warren. See Mapping.

Torbay limestone grassland bryophytes

Read more

Torbay’s coastal limestones support a wealth of rare species. Like Devon’s sand dune mosses, the small bryophytes are easily overgrown by other vegetation and need open habitat that is closely grazed (rabbits are ideal) or kept open by drought or by people or livestock trampling it. 

Seven species found in this habitat are listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern, including twisting thread-moss (Bryum torquescens) and pretty cord moss (Entosthodod pulchellus), which is currently only known to be at Berry Head, but may be unrecorded elsewhere. Canary threadmoss (Bryum canariense) and Funk’s bryum (Bryum kunzei) are known to be in a few sites around Torquay. There are two species listed as Devon Special Species in their own right. 

Rabbit moss

Cheilothela chloropus

Rabbit moss is a rare coastal moss only found in south Devon and north Somerset. It usually grows on south-facing unimproved limestone grasslands but can also be seen in a dune slack at Dawlish Warren. It is a Species Recovery Trust target species. 

Levier’s beardless-moss

Weissia levieri

Levier’s beardless-moss was discovered at Berry Head in 2023, in similar places to rabbit moss. The only other UK populations are found in north Somerset and Wales. It’s very rare and hard to identify. 

Actions

Maintain short, open vegetation, ideally through close grazing, and reducing dog fouling, fires and barbecues to keep fertility low. Where possible expand existing sites.

Where to focus action 

High Opportunity Areas: Grasslands within Torbay Limestone Coastal Wildbelt. See Mapping.

Mid river bryophytes

Read more

Large Atlantic pocketmoss

Fissidens serrulatus

This rare moss is found along ten kilometres of the middle reaches of the River Dart. The only other English site is in Cornwall, near Penzance. 

Multi-fruited cryphaea

Dendrocryphaea lamyana

Multi-fruited cryphaea is only found in south-west England and south-west Wales. In Devon, it’s found on bankside trees and rocks in the slower middle reaches of the rivers Dart, Bovey, Tamar and Taw. It’s legally protected by listing on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Multi-fruited cryphaea is often seen on low, exposed roots in areas that are frequently flooded. It’s threatened by pollution, changes to the watercourse due to climate change and loss of trees due to ash dieback.

Actions

Improve water quality and protect riverbanks from erosion which can be caused by trampling and bankside works.

Where to focus action 

High Opportunity Areas: Watercourse corridors – middle reaches of the rivers Dart, Bovey, Tamar and Taw where the species are found. See Mapping.

Bryophytes of south Devon wooded creeks

Read more

The low slate cliffs between the oak woodlands and estuarine mud found along south Devon’s estuaries are an important but overlooked wildlife habitat. They support some very rare and highly specialised warmth-loving bryophytes. There are two Devon Special Species. 

Awl-leaved ditrichum

Ditrichum subulatum

This moss was recently recorded on the banks of the Tamar-Tavy estuary, below Warleigh Wood nature reserve and Blaxton Wood. Although only found in Devon and Cornwall, it’s likely to be under-recorded. It’s threatened by sea level rise. 

Turner’s threadwort

Cephaloziella turneri

Turner’s threadwort is found in a few coastal creeks along the Tamar and Tavy estuary. 

Actions

Ensure that rare bryophytes are considered and protected when carrying out works in south Devon wooded creeks.  

Where to focus action 

High Opportunity Areas: Ancient woodlands (existing) along south Devon’s estuaries, particularly the Tamar-Tavy. See Mapping.

Coastal bryophytes 

Read more

Devon’s coasts support six species listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern. These include Dog screwmoss (Tortula canescens), which is nationally threatened and currently only known to be in a few sites in north Devon and at Noss Mayo in south Devon. However, it is hard to identify and may be in other sites. South-west England is a stronghold for sea frillwort (Fossombronia maritima), which is found on Lundy. Two are listed as Devon Special Species in their own right.

Cordate beardmoss

Disymodon cordatus

In Britain, cordate beardmoss is only found on cliffs and a road bank near Saunton. It’s legally protected by listing on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). 

Solm’s screwmoss

Tortula solmsii

This very rare moss is only found on an estuarine cliff on the River Otter and a few sites in western Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The Otter population is at risk of being swamped by vegetation such as ivy. 

Actions

Manage competing vegetation such as ivy on walls along the Otter estuary where Solm’s screwmoss is found. Protect habitat on cliffs near Saunton supporting the cordate beardmoss. 

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: The Otter estuary SSSI and Saunton in the North Devon Coastal Wildbelt. See Mapping.

Actions for all bryophytes

Bryophytes are found in most habitats across Devon and will benefit from the generic actions set out on the Habitat pages. See the list of Devon Species of Conservation Concern to find out which habitats support these species. Anyone managing habitats with rare bryophytes should be aware of their needs.

3. Inspiration

This section will be finalised following public consultation. Please share any case studies and places to visit as well as high quality photos. A few ideas are given below. 

Case studies

Torbay limestone grasslands 

The Species Recovery Trust is working with Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust to improve habitat for rabbit moss on Torbay’s limestone grasslands. 

Find out more: The Species Recovery Trust.

Bryophytes in temperate rainforests 

Plantlife and the Woodland Trust are working to raise the profile of bryophytes in temperate rainforests. 

Plantlife has produced an interactive toolkit.

Mossy ancient woodland with twisted warped branches

Where to visit

Please do not pick or damage any bryophytes. Always follow the Countryside Code and keep to footpaths and sites that are managed for public access. Good places to see bryophytes are:

Good places to see bryophytes include: East Dartmoor woods and heaths, Dendles Wood, Berry Head and Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserves and Braunton Burrows. For information on visiting these and other sites that are open to the public please see the Explore Devon website.

4. Find out more

The British Bryological Society (BBS) website has more information on individual bryophytes (the Species Finder is under the Learning tab).

Species records can be found on the NBN Atlas which receives records from the British Bryological Society every 5-7 years. Records were last shared in July 2024. Note that Devon Biodiversity Records Centre does not currently have a data sharing agreement with BBS.

Find out about the Devon Bryophyte Group.

Woodland managers: Rainforest lichens and bryophytes – a toolkit for woodland managers.

The Species Recovery Trust has more information on Rabbit moss.

The interactive map of the Lost Rainforests of Britain shows temperate rainforests. You can use filters to see hotspots for moss, lichen and liverworts.

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