Tiny but mighty: Groundbreaking study reveals mosses are secret carbon heroes in subtropical forests

In a lush revelation from the forest floor, a new study published in Carbon Research (as an Open Access Rapid Communication) shows that mosses, those quiet, green carpet-weavers beneath our feet, are climate champions in their own right. Led by Dr. Zhe Wang from the China-Croatia “Belt and Road” Joint Laboratory on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Shanghai Normal University, alongside Dr. Weikai Bao, also of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, this research flips the script on how we view forest carbon storage. Spoiler: mosses matter—big time. 

The Hidden Power of the Forest Floor

We’ve long celebrated trees as Earth’s lungs. But this team asked: what about the bryophytes—the mosses and liverworts blanketing the ground in forests across Sichuan Province, China?

They surveyed 413 subtropical forests, the largest study of its kind, and discovered something astonishing:

• Bryophytes make up a full 25% (1/4) of all understory biomass
• That’s equivalent to 1% of the aboveground tree biomass—a tiny fraction in size, but massive in significance when scaled across millions of hectares

“For decades, mosses were treated as background scenery,” says Dr. Wang. “But our data shows they’re not just decoration—they’re critical carbon players hiding in plain sight.”

Climate Champions in Cool, Coniferous Forests

Not all forests are equal when it comes to moss magic. The study found that cold temperate coniferous forests harbor the highest bryophyte biomass, thanks to their moist, shaded, and undisturbed conditions—perfect for moss to thrive. These humble plants don’t just sit there—they soak up carbon, store nutrients, and stabilize soil, all while asking for almost nothing in return. And because they grow slowly and decompose even slower, the carbon they lock away can stay put for decades.

Why This Changes Everything

Here’s the kicker: current global carbon models often ignore bryophytes entirely. This study proves that’s a mistake.

By including bryophytes in ecosystem assessments, scientists and policymakers can:

• Build more accurate climate models
• Improve carbon accounting for forests and conservation programs
• Unlock low-cost, high-impact strategies for carbon neutrality

“Preserving bryophytes isn’t just about biodiversity,” says Dr. Bao. “It’s a cost-effective, nature-based solution for climate change. They’re like free carbon credits growing on the forest floor.”

A Call for Global Attention

While this study focused on subtropical China, the implications are global. The team urges more research across tropical, boreal, and temperate zones to fully map the carbon power of mosses worldwide. “This is just the beginning,” adds Dr. Wang. “With collaborations like the China-Croatia Belt and Road Joint Laboratory, we’re building a global network to study overlooked ecosystems and their vital services.”

Meet the Minds Behind the Moss

This breakthrough is a proud achievement of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Yangtze River Delta Urban Wetland Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station, showcasing China’s leadership in ecological research and international scientific cooperation. Dr. Wang’s dual affiliation with Shanghai Normal University and Chengdu Institute of Biology highlights the power of cross-regional collaboration in tackling planetary challenges. So next time you walk through a forest, look down. That soft, green carpet underfoot? It’s not just pretty—it’s protecting our planet, one tiny leaf at a time. Kudos to Dr. Zhe Wang, Dr. Weikai Bao, and their team for turning over a new (mossy) leaf in climate science. Let’s stop overlooking the little things that make a big difference. The future of carbon neutrality might just be growing at our feet.

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• Title: Missing biomass stock: a systematic investigation of understory bryophytes across 413 subtropical forests
• Keywords: Biomass; Bryophyte; Forest type; Nutrient storage
• Citation: Wang, Z., Liu, X., Feng, D. et al. Missing biomass stock: a systematic investigation of understory bryophytes across 413 subtropical forests. Carbon Res. 4, 55 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44246-025-00224-6 

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About Carbon Research

The journal Carbon Research is an international multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on natural and engineered carbonaceous materials that are associated with ecological and environmental functions, energy generation, and global change. It is a fully Open Access (OA) journal and the Article Publishing Charges (APC) are waived until Dec 31, 2025. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of carbon functions around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science. The journal is currently indexed by Scopus and Ei Compendex, and as of June 2025, the dynamic CiteScore value is 15.4.

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