Effects of increased carbon dioxide and nitrogen supply on mosses

This chapter deals with the effects of increased carbon dioxide on bryophytes. It also deals with the effects of increased N deposition on mosses and the combined effects of CO₂ and N. Gaseous nitrogen can be converted into more useful nitrogen compounds by cyanobacteria attendant on some bryophytes. In many studies, length increment and dry mass production in Sphagnum have been measured under increased nitrogen supply. The chapter focuses on what should be studied in the future concerning the reaction of bryophytes to increased CO₂ and N concentrations. In photosynthesis of mosses, available CO₂ interacts with other abiotic factors such as water content, radiation flux and temperature. Photosynthesis is divided into two subprocesses: light reactions and dark reactions. Light reactions form adenosine triphosphate and are dependent on the light flux. Carbon dioxide fixation and the formation of end products in enzyme-controlled reactions take place in dark reactions which are dependent on temperature.