There are convincing arguments in favor of protecting moss
Of the Characteristics tells us that mosses have been populating the earth for almost 400 million years. As a result of extensive urbanization, the rootless land plants are now on the decline and some are threatened with extinction. It shouldn't get that far, because moss is an indispensable part of Mother Nature for these reasons:
- As a pioneer plant, green inhospitable locations that are avoided by other plants
- Provides food and shelter for insects
- Serves birds as valuable nesting material
- It is indispensable as a microhabitat for small organisms and fungi
- Acts as an important one Pointer plant
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In addition, it was shown in 2007 that mosses can absorb pollutants over their entire leaf surface. The land plants thus make a significant contribution to filtering harmful fine dust from the air.
Protected Species in Germany - A Representative Overview
Of the 1,121 mosses native to Germany, 54 species have already become extinct. Currently there are 335 Moss species considered critically endangered or critically endangered. If this trend is not stopped, biodiversity is at stake. Therefore, the following species are subject to the protection of the European Habitats Directive (Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive) by assigning them special protected areas:
| Species name (German) | Species name (botanical) | status |
|---|---|---|
| Three-man dwarf moss | Mannia triandra | unknown condition |
| Glossy sickle moss | Hamatocaulis vernicosus | endangered |
| Keeled two-leaf moss | Distichophyllum carinatum | endangered |
| Green fork tooth moss | Dicranum viride | endangered in continental regions |
| Green goblin moss | Buxbaumia viridis | lost |
| Hair Claw Moss | Dichelyma capillaceum | endangered |
| Ball horn moss | Notothylas orbicularis | endangered in continental regions |
| Caretaker Spatenmoos | Scapania carinthiaca | endangered in alpine regions |
| Lapland sickle moss | Hamatocaulis lapponicus | unknown condition |
| Long-handled gooseneck moss | Meesia longiseta | endangered |
| Rogers Kaputzenmoos | Orthotrichum rogeri | highly endangered in Atlantic regions |
| Rudolf's trumpet moss | Tayloria rudolphiana | endangered in alpine regions |
| Vosges broken moss | Bruchia vogesiaca | endangered |
In addition, all species of the genera Sphagnum, Hylocomium and Leucobryum are subject to strict nature conservation in Germany.
Tips
Since moss is under nature protection, amateur gardeners rightly ask themselves: May I take moss from nature to use in the garden to settle? For this purpose, the legislature has stipulated that moss may be collected in small quantities in the forest for private use. An exception applies to the explicitly designated protected areas. Removal for commercial purposes is generally not permitted.
