Mosses in Motion Movies
Rehydration transformation time lapse
Filmed at 10x (Leica stereoscope) by Theresa Clark in Dr. Daniel Stanton's lab at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN), Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior. (Copyrighted, 2021: educational use allowed with written permission.)
I collected this moss (Syntrichia subpapillo-sissima) while dry in Utah's Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in 2015. The specimen remained dry for >5 years in the herbarium. To test long-term desiccation tolerance at UMN (advised by Dr. Stanton), I woke it up with a droplet & mist treatment taking a pic every second!
In the time-lapse video (left & below), note how quickly the shoots "awaken" from a dry-dormant to wet-bioactive state! This is one of the most desiccation-tolerant species in Utah...but not all species tested survived the resurrection (see other species videos below). Implications for climate change are forthcoming in publication...stay tuned!
Mosses in Motion Artistic Videos
"Abrupt Awakening"
(Hairy twisted moss, Syntrichia subpapillosissima*)
Filmed at 1.5 - 5x (Leica stereoscope) by Theresa Clark in Dr. Daniel Stanton's lab at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN). (Copyrighted, 2021: educational use allowed with written permission.)*Synonym: Syntrichia ruralis. S. subpapillosissima may be an ecotype, not species, in the S. ruralis complex. Read more.
"Slow Bloom"
(Mucro Leaf Moss, Tortula mucronifolia)
Tortula mucronifolia is one of the slow hydrating species under study. Video is fast forwarded 42x; the 18 minute time-lapse is shown in 30 seconds here! Filmed at 1.5 - 2x (Leica stereoscope) by Theresa Clark in Dr. Daniel Stanton's lab at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN). (Copyrighted, 2021: educational use allowed with written permission.)
"Water Wary"
(Bearded Moss, Didymodon vinealis)
Didymodon vinealis is one of the slowest hydrating species under study. Video is at 113x speed; the 41 minute time-lapse is shown in 22 seconds (forward, then reverse)! Filmed at 1.5 - 5x (Leica MZ6 stereoscope) by Theresa Clark in Dr. Daniel Stanton's lab at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
(Copyrighted, 2021: educational use allowed with written permission.)
Watch moss winter recovery in the Mojave Desert!
As part of my dissertation research, I predicted that the recovery of desert moss species from summer-stress is likely dependent on quality winter hydration events. This two-week time-lapse shows the biocrust moss, Syntrichia caninervis, cycling in and out of its bioactive state (fully hydrated) during cool conditions and low light. When the sun emerges from storm clouds, note how quickly the cushions dry (usually within a couple hours)! After sunrise, frost melts off the moss as it rehydrates from thawing soil moisture evidenced by soil-heaving.
"Winter Wakeup"
(Short Twisted Moss, Syntrichia caninervis)