Why do moss plants need a moist (wet) environment to survive?

Question

And why does it grow close to land?

Can you give me several reasons.

Thanks

Answer 1

Because it is a small plant with shallow roots.

Answer 2

Just read as much of this as you need. Samma,  it is common to site your source when you cut and paste Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moss

Answer 3

because... water=moisture.. moss=fungus... fungus require cool, damp dark areas to survive.

there it is simply.. unlike a 5 paragraph answer...

Answer 4

Mosses are found chiefly in areas of low light and dampness. Mosses are common in wooded areas and at the edges of streams. Mosses are also found in cracks between paving stones in damp city streets. Some types have adapted to urban conditions and are found only in cities. A few species are wholly aquatic, such as Fontinalis antipyretica, and others such as Sphagnum inhabit bogs, marshes and very slow-moving waterways. Such aquatic or semi-aquatic mosses can greatly exceed the normal range of lengths seen in terrestrial mosses. Individual plants 20–30 cm (8-12 in) or more long are common in Sphagnum species for example.

Wherever they occur, mosses require moisture to survive because of the small size and thinness of tissues, lack of cuticle (waxy covering to prevent water loss), and the need for liquid water to complete fertilisation. Some mosses can survive desiccation, returning to life within a few hours of rehydration.

In northern latitudes, the north side of trees and rocks will generally have more moss on average than other sides (though south-side outcroppings are not unknown). This is assumed to be because of the lack of sufficient water for reproduction on the sun-facing side of trees. South of the equator the reverse is true. In deep forests where sunlight does not penetrate, mosses grow equally well on all sides of the tree trunk.

Answer 5

Water is essential.