DID YOU KNOW? ¡
Canada’s largest population of Porsild’s bryum grows in Alberta. This moss is very rare, both nationally and globally.
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Some colonies are very old. In Greenland, there was a colony on record from 1898 to 1977.
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Porsild’s bryum has large, thin-walled leaf cells that reflect light, giving the moss a sparkly gleam.
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In 2006, frost reduced what was Canada’s largest population in Newfoundland from hundreds of colonies, to just nine colonies.
Grande Prairie
Edmonton
Calgary
Lethbridge
HOW CAN YOU HELP? ¡
Learn more about Alberta’s plants, especially those at risk. Remember that plants need specific habitats, just as fish and wildlife do.
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Contact wildlife management staff at your nearest ESRD office to discuss ways that you can take action to conserve this species.
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Support conservation groups and programs that work toward the conservation and maintenance of healthy montane ecosystems.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION ¡
Porsild’s bryum is a small, bright-green cushion-forming moss.
HABITAT ¡
Porsild’s bryum is found in the Rocky Mountain Natural Region in Alberta.
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Porsild’s bryum grows on shaded, vertical or undercut rock faces that are often showered by flowing water.
THREATS ¡
Porsild’s bryum has narrow habitat requirements and can not survive if environmental conditions do not meet these requirements.
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Human activity, such as scrambling on rock faces, has the potential to destroy moss.
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Dust from roads with heavy vehicle use could degrade habitat of nearby populations.
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Changes in water chemistry and turbidity upstream of this moss (e.g., from industrial or recreational activities) can degrade habitat.
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For the most current information, visit: aep.alberta.ca