Moss and Reproductive Assistance: Springtails
Microarthropods and mosses are some of the most ancient land organisms in the world. So much so that mosses have never truly escaped their aquatic ancestors and heavily rely upon water to transport its sperm from the male plant to the female plant. However, a 2012 study that i stumbled across solidified my thoughts on springtails and their roles in moss reproduction. I noticed that during breeding moss and springtails at the same time in my nursery, and frequently introducing the two for janitorial reasons, there was only one way that the moss was able to be spreading around the humid container with no breeze or running water present.
This article talked about a moss that while under investigation were increasing fertilisation rates of moss in a controlled environment.
The Earliest Pollinators:
We always think of bees as the third party for plant sexual reproduction, and we also forget that other insects like beetles can aid in pollination. However, moss existed before flowering plants and were among the first land plants to occupy the earth (During the Ordovician period around 470 million years ago). In the study, springtails were introduced into a container that was completely separated in the middle, with male and female mosses separated. In this situation, the only mosses that were able to sexually reproduce were the ones helped by springtails. The study had shown that springtails were more attracted to the female mosses when given the option of the two and that “results indicate the presence of a scent-based 'plant-pollinator-like' relationship that has evolved between two of Earth's most ancient terrestrial lineages, mosses and microarthropods”. The fact that there is proof of chemical activity in mosses would make these plants the most ancient plants to utilize a third party for the success of its species.
Co-dependence Inside a Microcosm (Terrarium):
When attempting to grow your own moss or making a terrarium flourish, its good to think about the use of springtails to increase reproduction, especially when growing indoors. As moss grown indoors are in a very controlled environment, usually in a sealed container, there are no forces of nature to naturally spread mosses. This will make moss grow very localised as even when spores are released, they will fall adjacent to the mother plant.
The humidity that is found inside a terrarium or growing container is the perfect location for springtails to thrive and reproduce. The more springtails you have, the better they will be able to aid with the reproduction of moss. With the mould proofing springtails in large quantities provide we also benefit from a mould free environment. This will keep the moss happy and healthy and also keep the temperature lower by cleaning decomposing materials, allowing moss to operate within a more comfortable temperature.
Springtails present in a growing medium also will raise the pH. levels. Mosses are usually thought to enjoy very acidic environment but the truth is, they are very adaptable for most situations due to them not drawing any nutrition from the soil with their rhizoids (a mosses equivalent to roots). The presence of acidity in soil will, however, ward away other plants which will ensure moss growth is not disrupted. Mosses are, and always have been, the pioneers of unclaimed land.
