ABSTRACT
Aquatic bryophytes show the same basic characteristics of bryophytes, but certain structural and ecophysiological features make them peculiar among bryophytes. Terrestrial, emergent and facultative aquatic bryophytes mostly respond to the consequences of climate change occurring in the atmospheric environment, because they are exposed to air temperature, atmospheric CO2 and ambient sunlight. Aquatic bryophytes are adapted to low temperatures, and show optimum photosynthesis and growth at around 15°C. It can be observed that bryophytes are ideal plants for climate change bioindication, due to their sensitivity to ecological changes. Rheophilous and limnophilous bryophytes may show different structural and physiological adaptations. Within bryophytes, obligate aquatic bryophytes (OAB) inhabit fragile ecosystems that are severely threatened nowadays by climate change factors. Therefore, OAB are relevant tools to monitor and predict the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems. Adverse factors for OAB in lakes are waterlogging, cold water, low irradiances in the deep zones, high hydrostatic pressure, and abrasion along the shores.
