What enviromental changes might have influenced the evolution of nonvascular plant structures ?

Nonvascular plants often are found growing in damp, shady areas - an environment that provides the water needed by these plants for nutrient transport and reproduction.

Adaptations to environmental changes like extreme loss of water, drought and periods of saturation contributed to the evolution these plants. Although modern nonvascular plants are dependent on water to complete their life cycles, they are able to withstand long periods of desiccation.

Division of Nonvascular Plants:

Divison Bryophyta

The most familiar bryophytes are the mosses. Although they do not have true leaves, mosses have structures that are similar to leaves. Their photosynthetic, leaf like structures usually consist of a layer of cells that is only one cell thick. Mosses produce root-like, multicellular rhizoids that anchor them to soil or another surface.

Division Anthocerophyta

The smallest division of nonvascular plant sis division Anthocerophyta. Anthocerophytes are called hornworts because of their hornlike sporophytes. Water, nutrients, and other substances move in hornworts by osmosis and diffusion. Only about 100 species of hornworts have been identified.

Division Hepaticophyta

Because of their appearance and use as a medicine to treat liver ailments during medieval times, hepaticophytes are referred to as liverworts. This division of nonvascular plants contains more than 6000 species. They are found in a variety of habitats ranging from the tropics to the arctic. A few species even can survive in relatively dry areas.

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