Growth pattern of a common feather moss, Hylocomium splendens, from contrasting water regimes in a high Arctic tundra

Abstract

Hylocomium splendens, a widespread feather moss, is one of the major plant species found in high-Arctic tundra. It occupies a variety of habitats ranging from exposed dry ground to swampy areas. To clarify the effect of the water regime on the growth pattern of H. splendens, the shoot morphology of H. splendens growing in contrasting water regimes, i.e. hydric, mesic and xeric sites, was investigated using retrospective analyses of growth. The derived growth parameters for H. splendens differed considerably among the sites. The growing period at the hydric, mesic and xeric sites was 1 year, 2 years and 3 years, respectively. The annual increments in segment length and biomass were higher with increasing water availability. These results suggest that water regime has a strong influence on the growth pattern of H. splendens in high-Arctic tundra.