Mosses are one of the most important and dominant plant communities, especially in the temperate biome, and play a significant role in ecosystem function and dynamics. They influence the water, energy and element cycle due to their unique ecology and physiology. The present study was undertaken in three different temperate forest sites in the Garhwal Himalayas, viz., Triyuginarayan (Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS)), Chakrata, and Kanasar forest range. The study was focused on understanding the influence of mosses on soil physical properties and nutrient availability. Different physico-chemical properties were analysed under two different substrata, that is, with and without moss cover in two different seasons, viz., monsoon and winter. We observed mosses to influence and alter the physical properties and nutrient status of soil in both seasons. All soil physical and chemical properties, except magnesium, showed significant difference within the substrates, among all the sites and across the two seasons. Besides the soil characteristics underneath the moss vegetation, the study also highlights the diversity of mosses found in the area. Mosses appear to create high nutrient microsites via a high rate of organic matter accumulation and retain nutrients for longer periods thus, maintaining ecosystem stability.

中文翻译：

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苔藓对喜马拉雅山温带森林土壤理化性质的影响

苔藓是最重要和最主要的植物群落之一，尤其是在温带生物群落中，在生态系统功能和动态中发挥着重要作用。由于其独特的生态学和生理学，它们影响水、能量和元素循环。本研究在 Garhwal 喜马拉雅山的三个不同温带森林地点进行，即 Triyuginarayan（Kedarnath 野生动物保护区 (KWLS)）、Chakrata 和 Kanasar 森林范围。该研究的重点是了解苔藓对土壤物理特性和养分有效性的影响。在两种不同的基质下分析了不同的理化性质，即在两个不同的季节，即季风和冬季，有和没有苔藓覆盖。我们观察到苔藓在两个季节都会影响和改变土壤的物理特性和营养状况。除镁外，所有土壤理化性质在基质内、所有地点之间和两个季节之间均显示出显着差异。除了苔藓植被下的土壤特征外，该研究还强调了该地区发现的苔藓的多样性。苔藓似乎通过高速率的有机质积累创造了高营养微生态位点，并在更长时间内保留养分，从而维持生态系统的稳定性。