February 8, 2013

Mosses With a Real Inferiority Complex

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Mosses, which probably already have an inferiority complex, must feel especially inferior in Sequoia National Park. When you stand in the shadows of giants, how will you ever get noticed?

If you are lucky, someone like Lena Coleman will come to your rescue.

You may have recently read David Quammen's wonderful profile of The President, the second-largest tree on Earth and a resident of Sequoia National Park. Coleman, who has been studying the mosses there for her Ph.D., made a short film about some of the park's other residents that may be equally worthy of your notice ...

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Pay attention to the chorus of the soundtrack.

For me, this was an incredible feel-good video. I hope it was for you too. I never imagined I'd feel so joyful watching something titled "Bryophytes of Sequoia National Park".

Coleman is a graduate student at California State University, Northridge. She also made -- for the hardcore botany enthusiasts out there -- a more technical (but still awesomely sound-tracked!) video of moss identification basics (below), and two more video field guides to the actual moss species in the park. Only tread here if you aren't intimidated by such terms as "sporophyte" or "conductive tissue".

Thanks to Jessica Budke, a postdoc and moss scientist at UC Davis, who pens the blog Moss Plants and Morefor bringing my attention to these wonderful videos. Happy Friday everyone!

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American