Bryophytes are the main understory dominant species in forest areas of Qilian Mountain

which play an important role in keeping a humid environment

surface runoff modulation and water sources holding.We conducted a field investigation of bryophytes along altitude gradient

and made a detailed bryophytes taxonomy.Based on the characteristics of bryophytes distribution

partitioning them into different distribution zones

including low altitude bryophytes distribution zones

arboreal bryophytes distribution zones and alpine bryophytes distribution zones.The water-holding capacity of bryophytes varied with its layers' thickness

and reached the maximum 519.44% when the layers is 7.4 cm thick.In the forest areas

bryophytes water content showed a downtrend from May to September

with maximum occurred in May and minimum in July

moreover

soil with bryophytes coverage showed lower evaporation than that without bryophytes coverage