The bryophytes, non-vascular plants that include mosses, hornworts and liverworts have shared the planet Earth with the amphibians since the Carboniferous geological era. As early terrestrial dwellers, they share certain characteristics.

Transitional Organisms

Bryophytes and amphibians are both intermediary species. They both made the transition from living entirely in a water environment to coming out onto the land for at least part of their life cycle. This happened roughly 360 to 290 million years ago.

Moist Environment

Both organisms need to live in a moist environment. Amphibians need to keep moist because they sometimes breathe through their skins. Bryophytes, being non-vascular, absorb water and nutrients either through tiny leaf-like structures, or as in the case of mosses, through tiny root like structures that also serve as anchors for the plants.

Reproduction in Amphibians

Amphibians must return to water to reproduce. Eggs are laid in the water and fertilized externally. They hatch and the young live in the water until they reach the adult stage. As an example, frog eggs hatch into tadpoles which eventually grow into frogs. Frogs are then able to reproduce and the cycle continues.

Bryophytes

Bryophytes also need water to reproduce and likewise have two distinct stages of development. The male gametes or sperm and female eggs are produced by the gametophyte generation. Once there is sufficient moisture the sperm swims and fertilizes the eggs creating the sporophyte generation. Like frogs, the gametophyte generation again emerges to begin reproducing.

Pollution

As noted in a lecture by Stephen T. Abedon at Ohio State, both amphibians and bryophytes are extremely sensitive to air pollution because both organisms absorb at least some nutrients and gases from the air. Both thrive in environments that are far away from populated areas.

Source:

analogicalplanet.com: Glossary for AnalogicalPlanet.com

biology-online.org: Bryophytes

mcwdn.org: Amphibians

More Information:

Mansfield.ohio-state.edu: Supplemental Lecture Stephen T. Abedon