Hydration–Dehydration Dynamics in the Desiccation-Tolerant Moss Hedwigia ciliata

Abstract

The desiccation tolerant moss Hedwigia ciliata was investigated to assess its early reaction to water stress in controlled conditions. Thus, various photosynthetic parameters and water contents were studied during a selected time frame within 48 h of two main events, namely water loss after full hydration and activity (preparation for anabiosis) and water uptake after the state of anabiosis. The observations of the changes in the photosynthetic efficiency of Hedwigia ciliata in response to fluctuating relative water contents (RWCs) during rehydration and dehydration periods provide valuable insights into the species’ physiological adaptation mechanisms. Hedwigia ciliata rapidly uptakes water upon anabiosis, and despite being poikilohydric, it is able to retain water for a prolonged period compared to the water availability in its immediate environment. The delayed decrease in relative water content (RWC) corresponds to the photosynthetic parameters and preparation for anabiosis, including the maintenance of photosystems and general cell integrity. The low values of non-photochemical quenching during desiccation imply limited photoinhibition and effective photoprotective regulation. Conversely, the rather high values of the fluorescence decline ratio during rehydration reflect the efficient recovery of photosynthetic performance. The postponed physiological shutdown while drying and photosynthetic activity in the early dehydration phase suggest anticipatory acclimation to desiccation, i.e., non-active phase anabiosis. Hedwigia ciliata is a desiccation-tolerant moss, with anatomical, morphological, and eco-physiological adaptations, making it a useful model species in drought and abiotic stress studies of bryophytes in a rapidly changing environment.