INTERACT Transnational Access Project Explores How Mosses Respond to a Warming World

This summer, INTERACT Transnational Access researcher Dr Alicia V. Perera-Castro and collaborator Dr Miquel Nadal will travel to Kilpisjärvi Biological Station in northern Finland to investigate how mosses survive some of Earth's most challenging environmental conditions.

Located around 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, Kilpisjärvi provides an ideal setting to study how plants respond to extreme cold, intense sunlight, long periods of darkness and drying conditions. The research is supported through INTERACT's Transnational Access programme, which enables scientists to carry out fieldwork at northern research stations.

Why study mosses?

Although often overlooked, mosses (bryophytes) are essential components of Arctic, boreal and alpine ecosystems. They play an important role in carbon cycling, water regulation and ecosystem resilience.

Despite their ecological importance, many questions remain about how these small plants cope with environmental extremes. Understanding their survival strategies will help scientists better predict how northern ecosystems may respond as the climate continues to change.

Three key research questions

During their fieldwork and laboratory experiments, the research team will investigate three main questions.

How does temperature affect mosses' response to strong sunlight?

Plants rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, but excessive light can damage the machinery that converts light into energy. The researchers will examine whether mosses can protect themselves from light damage while continuing to capture enough energy to survive under different temperature conditions.

How much recovery time do mosses need after light stress?

After exposure to bright light, plants need darkness to repair their photosynthetic systems. The project will explore how temperature and the length of the night influence the speed at which mosses recover from light stress.

Can protection from sunlight improve drought survival?

Many moss species can survive losing most of their water before recovering when conditions improve. The team will investigate whether the mechanisms mosses use to manage excess light also help them withstand drying and improve their ability to recover after rehydration.

Combining field observations with laboratory experiments

To answer these questions, Alicia and Miquel will combine field sampling with controlled laboratory experiments. Their work will include:

• Studying different moss species growing in northern environments.

• Testing how temperature influences their responses.

• Exposing mosses to different light conditions.

• Measuring how they recover after drying and rehydration.

Understanding resilience in a changing climate

Although small in size, mosses have evolved remarkable adaptations that allow them to survive in some of the world's harshest environments. By understanding these adaptations, researchers hope to gain new insights into how Arctic ecosystems may respond to future environmental change.

Throughout the project, Alicia and Miquel will also be sharing updates from the field, behind-the-scenes glimpses of their research, fascinating moss facts and stories from the Arctic as their work progresses. You can follow their progress here.