[Objective] The water absorption characteristics of five dominant bryophyte species at rocky desertification area of Huaxi district in Guiyang City

included Barbula nigrescens

Eurohypnum leptothallum

Hyophila involuta

Anomondon minor subsp. integerrimus and Grimmia decipiens were studied

in order to provide theoretical support for soil and water conservation work using bryophytes in karst rocky desertification area.[Methods] Totally 120 samples were collected and the taxonomic identification were completed with morphological classification method. After that

biomass

saturated water adsorption rate

water adsorption quantity

the maximum water absorption rate(Vmax)

the constant of water absorption(Km) and leaf expanding time of those samples were measured and compared among the five moss species.[Results] (1) There was large difference of biomass

water adsorption quantity and saturated water adsorption rate among the five species

and the maximum water absorption was less different. The ranges of biomass

saturated water adsorption rate

water adsorption quantity

Vmax

Km and leaf expanding time were 10.36~114.51 g/m2

675.43%~1 125.41%

98.21~766.13 g/m2

35.59~51.28 g/(g·min)

69.97~101.99 g

35.9~86.1 s

respectively; (2) It was showed that the correlation between biomass and saturated water adsorption quantity was positive. Water adsorption quantity had positive correlations with cover degree

the Km and Vmax. The negative correlation was found between Km and leaf expansion time.[Conclusion] Bryophytes are adaptable to harsh environment

which had serious water shortage like karst rocky desertification area

with an unique way of water absorption and utilization. Stone-bryophytes can act as the pioneer plants which is highly adaptable to the karst rocky desertification area.