U.S. and Canadian scientists launch alliance to protect mosses and related plants vital to ecosystems, many of which may need endangered species protection.

Scientists in the U.S. and Canada have launched the Bryophyte Conservation Alliance to protect mosses, liverworts, and hornworts—plants vital to water regulation, carbon storage, and ecosystem health but long overlooked. Only one moss is currently listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, though experts believe up to 500 species may need protection. Researchers are gathering data on species distribution, abundance, and threats to support future conservation efforts, as detailed knowledge remains limited despite these plants' ecological importance and resilience.