Why does moss thrive in shady conditions in terms of biology? (photosynthesis, respiration etc)?

Question

I understand that moss prefers humid and shady conditions. It is clear why moss will thrive in shady conditions but I don't understand why it thrives in shady conditions. Surely, the more light exposed to moss, the faster it will photosynthesise, and the more abundant it will be..so why would the moss want to grow in an area with less light?
Can anyone give a helping hand please? Any references will be greatly appreciated!

Thankyou to everyone that has replied. I did not make it clear that I am investigating the growth of moss on barks of Ash trees and Sycamore trees. So why then would moss not prefer to grow on the areas of the bark where there is more light...since there is less competition there from other plants such as algae and lichen than there would be if the moss was growing on ground?
Thankyou all once again!

Answer 1

Ah1, basically it's because of what other have already said here: the mosses thrive best in those condtions because those are the conditions in which they evolved.

One thing you have to remember too is that moisture is very important to moss, and moisture is more easily retained on the shady side of a trunk, a hillside, a fallen log, or rock -- or a shady area which is either heavily forested or in a narrow ravine.

Something I've noticed: moss will literally "green up" during a thaw in the wintertime. There is still low light conditions (because of winter) but there's a little more moisture available and sunlight as well.

One thing I have to comment on: moss does not just grow on trees. In fact, depending on the wooded area in question, it is far more likely to "grow on the ground," either on soil or on boulders or smaller rocks or fallen logs -- and moisture is far easier to retain on those places than on a tree trunk. Many times you will find moss and ferns growing together.

Another thing too: lichens are not necessarily low-light "plants." Lichens can grow on the barest of rocks in the sunniest conditions.

And most free-living algae -- those often associated with soil -- have a higher moisture requirement than mosses. You might see algae growing on rocks in a stream bed with water flowing over them, but mosses cannot live like that for long. They like moisture but don't require as much as free-living (non-lichen) algae.

I recommend that you get a good book out of the library on the biology of mosses and page through the index. A basic book on bryology would be helpful too. Do this BEFORE you do any journal article search.

Answer 2

Moss and lichens have evolved to work best in shady areas. They are not true plants but are older. Many true plants can not accept full sunlight either. so they grow better on the northside of trees but eventually grow all the way around the tree. If it is a good shady area the moss might grow thickest on the south side of the tree because to heavy sunlight slows it down and the spores got started on the north side. BTW, this is only true of the northern hemisphere. The opposite is true siouth of the border.

Answer 3

1. Taller vascular plants have taken all the good spots.

2. Mosses lack a vascular system. This means they have a very limited ability to move water from the ground to their photosynthesizing organs. They'd be small, and in the shade, because that's a strategy that works to prevent them from drying out too quickly.

Answer 4

Moss is adapted to living in wetter, lower-light environments. So it has all of these traits that let it move water quickly through itself...in a sunny spot, those traits work against it and it often dehydrates and dies.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

More moisture in the shade, out of the sun.

Answer 7

could it be that the sunny side drys out faster

Answer 8

idk