from the atmosphere or the substrate. Marchantia polymorpha, Solenostoma crenulata
, are the example of the metal tolerant populations. Scapania undulata is used to monitor water pollution Govindapyari et al. 2010.
Some other species of bryophyte have also been used as indicator of air pollution caused by people
activities in residential areas, polluted by fumes or industry Dymytrova 2009. 2.2.2 Pioneer plants and erosion control
Bryophytes have capability to rapidly colonize substrate, therefor they are pioneer plants in bare lands. Thick layer of bryophyte on soil may have ability to
absorb and store a large quantities of rain water, and prevent soil erosion Gradstein et al. 2001. The ability to reduce erosion have important role,
especially on the outskirts of the newly opened road and the slope of the hill, before the larger plants are growing. Bryophytes also has potentially role in
helping revegetation of degraded land, for example in the former mining areas, clearing land, and forest conversion. This capability is supported by the ability of
bryophytes to form a large population or a vast expanse quickly Glime 2007b.
2.2.3 Habitat for other organisms
Bryophytes may offer shelter to small animals. Epiphytic liverworts are widely used as habitat by insects such as ants, beetles, and mites. The insects also
used the bryophytes for storing their larvae. Small animals such as lizards, snails, frogs, and arthropods are frequently found on the terrestrial liverworts mats. They
used the liverworts to create moist environment, protect them from the wind, and for laying their eggs. Liverworts can accumulate organic matter and dust, making
it possible to accomodate food source for the small animals. Liverworts also may serve as substrate for other plants Glime 2007a.
2.2.4 Horticultural uses
Bryophytes have been involved in horticulture as soil additives, ground cover, greenhouse crops, ornamental of potted plants, and for seedling beds.
Bryophytes are often used to conditionize and fertilize the soil. Coarse textured of bryophytes increase water-storage capacity. They may improve the nutrient
condition by holding nutrients, especially those borne by dust and rainfall, and releasing the nutrients to the soil surface. Recently, one of the more important
functions of the liverwort is in the study of the physiology and genetic potential in gene transplantation for traits tolerant to drought and as antiherbivora for
agricultural crops Glime 2007b
. .
Many species of liverworts may contain natural pesticides, for example: the species of Plagiochila contains the sesquiterpene hemiacetyl plagiochiline A, a
poison extremely potent in mice, and it inhibits the feeding of an African army worm. Extracts of Frullania brasiliensis can inhibit the growth of fungal
pathogens on vegetables such as tomatoes and potatoes. Asakawa et al. 1980.
2.2.5 Medicine One reason in the bryophyte exploitations is the biological compounds that
can be used for medicine. Liverworts are used in traditional medicine for treating some diseases such as liver, hookworm, swelling, fever, digestive and urinary
problems, infections, lung, and skin diseases. The traditional use of liverworts
have also been realized in medical science Ludwiczuk and Asakawa 2008; Harris 2008 .
The use of bryophytes, including the liverwort in herbal medicines has been common in China, India, and among Native Americans since ancient times.
The most widely known example of medicine used is Marchantia polymorpha. The
species has commonly been used as a cure liver, lung disease and ulcers Shen et al.
2010; Dey and De 2012. Marchantia are wellknown in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs extensively used to treat skin tumefaction, to protect the liver and
treat hepatitis, reduce inflammation, as a diuretic, and being also used as antipyretics Glime 2007. Himalayan Indians use M. polymorpha to treat boils,
against inflammation and abscesses; Riccia species were used to against ringworms in children Harris 2008; Shirsat 2008.
Liverworts contains a number of important medicinal compounds such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antibiotic, antifungal, cytotoxic, anticancer, antitumor,
anti-venom and anti-inflammatory. Liverworts also contain oil bodies in their cells
and elaborate with sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and lipophilic aromatics as their major chemical constituents. Several biological activities of liverworts are
triggered by these active ingredients. Porella species contain terpenoid compounds Fischer et al. 1995; Ludwiczuk et al. 2011. The secondary metabolic
compounds produced by liverworts can resist or overcome a number of biotic and abiotic stresses such as predation, ultraviolet radiation, extreme temperatures and
microbial decomposition Xie and Lou 2009. In addition, some utilization of liverwort in modern medicine such as anti-leukemia and anti-cancer are promising
outlook Ludwiczuk and Asakawa 2008; Harris 2008. Marchantia polymorpha contains terpenoids, flavonoids, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
antioxidative, marchantin A and C. Marchantin A and C have been demonstrated to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial activity
against the gram positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, as antioxidant, and induced the inhibition of cell growth
in human breast cancer cells Huang et al. 2009; Shen et al
. 2010. 2.2.6 Household uses
Bryophytes are used for household such as for decorating, mattresses, pillows, dolls, packaging fruit and fragile objects for delivery, clothes decorating,
buttons, fiber rugs, mats, blankets, and toilet paper Glime 2007b. Bryophytes have been used for decorative purposes in Japan, England, France, Finland and
America. The Himalayans also use bryophytes as insect repellents when storing foods. Dried mosses and liverworts were made into coarse powder and sprinkled
over the grains and other things for storing in containers. Sphagnum is used for cushioning the foot and absorbing moisture and odors in hiking boots. Sphagnum
is also used for sending or supplying live plants in India Saxena and Harinder 2004.
2.3 Distribution of Liverworts
Liverworts are commonly found in moist and shaded areas, although some species are tolerant to drought. Liverworts are found in all environment except
