[Press Release] Bryophytes as bioindicators of the atmospheric environment in urban-forest landscapes

Prof. Tsutom Hiura (Division of Biosphere Science; Tomakomai Experimental Forest) and Lecturer Yoshitaka Oishi (Fukui Prefectural University) developed an efficient method evaluating the atmospheric environment in urban-forest landscapes by using bryophytes. Bryophytes, which have simple body structures, can respond sensitively to environmental changes, particularly atmospheric environments. In this paper, they showed that measuring concentration and stable isotope ratio of nitrogen in bryophytes enable us to evaluate a level of nitrogen pollution, which is becoming serious in urban areas. In addition, they found that richness of hygrophilic life-forms can reflect the level of drought stress associated with urban heat islands. The combinational use of these bryophyte metrics can contribute to comprehensive understanding of atmospheric environments.

This research outcome is published in Landscape and Urban Planning.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)