**5.3 Mosses**

Belong to the group of Bryophytes, mosses are commonly recognised as seedless nonvascular plants, which are tiny and small, but some may be as large as 35cm tall. In Kuala Keniam forests, *Calymperes moluccense* is found mainly on the tree base, *Pelekium velatum* well spread on rotten bark and *Syrrhopodon spiculosus* is found on bark of living trees in moist and shaded lowland areas. Mosses do not have direct economic value; however, they are important in many respects. They play an important role in the water balance of ecosystems in the forests by storing large amounts of water. They also prevent erosion by fixing the uppermost layer of soil, and also providing microhabitats for small animals, germination of seeds or food for certain beetles.
