Because of their small size, bryophytes are able to occupy microsites in otherwise unfavorable habitats.
Their ability to recover from dehydration typically correlates with habitat,
with aquatic bryophytes having little ability to tolerate dehydration and resume photosynthesis, whereas dry habitat bryophytes can withstand extended periods of desiccation.
In aquatic bryophytes, ribosomes can be damaged irreversibly and membranes are more likely to be damaged than in dry habitat taxa.
On the other hand, there is no difference in nitrogen reductase activity between dry and wet
habitat bryophytes.