VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Ceratodon purpureus | Fire Moss 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
NO-ENTRY


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
The rapid colonization of fire moss after disturbance can help prevent
soil erosion [29].  In revegetation trials on disturbed riverbank sites
in Quebec, Canada, fire moss was codominant with Canada bluegrass (Poa
compressa) [21].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Fire moss is able to tolerate much higher pollution levels than other
mosses [26].  It is common in urban and industrial environments
subjected to a variety of pollutants, along highways, and on the
tailings and refuse associated with both coal and heavy-metal mining
activities.  Fire moss is common in the vicinity of a zinc smelter in
Palmerton, Pennsylvania.  However, populations growing on mine tailings
or in other habitats contaminated by heavy metals often lack sporophytes
in spite of vigorous gametophytic growth [30].

Fire moss contains photoprotective pigments, which are a useful
adaptation for the bright antarctic environment.  Leaf pigment varies
from green to ginger [24].

The abundance of fire moss after disturbance promotes a large
accumulation of organic matter, which favors the development of
invertebrate fauna [4].

Fire moss is eaten by some grasshopper species in the genus Tetrix [26].

Related categories for Species: Ceratodon purpureus | Fire Moss