A Moss-Based Approach for Assessing the Potential for Ecological Restoration in Vegetation-Degraded Volcanic Landscapes: A Case Study of Doneori Oreum in Jeju Island

Aims This study aims to assess the potential for ecological restoration in vegetation-degraded volcanic landscapes by examining the effects of moss on soil functionality. The goal is to identify the ecological contributions of pioneer moss species to the rehabilitation of these landscapes, focusing on Jeju Island’s Doneori Oreum. Methods Soils were collected from vegetation-degraded and vegetation-rich areas within Doneori Oreum, a parasitic volcanic cone on Jeju Island. After characterizing soil physicochemical properties, three native moss species— Rhacomitrium canescens , Hypnum plumaeforme , and Ceratodon purpureus —were applied to the degraded soil under controlled indoor conditions. Changes in soil properties such as pH, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (T-N), and available phosphorus (AP) were analyzed. Results Degraded soils showed significantly lower OM, CEC, and exchangeable cations compared to vegetation-rich soils, despite higher levels of T-N and AP. This contrast suggests that the absence of vegetation may have limited nutrient uptake and cycling, resulting in the accumulation of unutilized nutrients in degraded soils. Moss application significantly improved all measured soil properties. Each moss species enhanced pH, OM, CEC, AP, T-N, and exchangeable cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺), with variation in magnitude, indicating species-specific effects. Conclusions Mosses contribute to early-stage soil restoration by stabilizing surface soils, increasing organic matter, and potentially supporting microbial colonization. These findings highlight mosses as promising agents in ecological restoration. However, field-based and long-term studies are necessary to validate their practical effectiveness and to develop optimized restoration strategies.