Total dataset of Estimating moss harvest quantity and biomass

The legal harvesting of moss in Turkey from designated areas is permitted; however, the absence of comprehensive inventory studies in these harvested zones poses a considerable threat to moss species. Harvesting without proper inventories can negatively impact rare, sensitive, and even endemic species in the region. Furthermore, there is a significant lack of research regarding the sustainable quantity of moss that can be harvested per hectare in forested areas. This study, conducted on Eldivan Mountain over an area of 4,200 hectares, aimed to address the significant gap in moss inventory and sustainable harvesting practices. Sampling was conducted every 300 meters, measuring mosses in 4 m² ground plots and 50 m² tree plots. The total area covered by the identified moss taxa was approximately 97,216,557 m², with a total dry weight of 44,640,972 kilograms. The most widespread ground species, Syntrichia ruralis, covered 64,772,801 m² with a dry weight of 623,268 kilograms, while the dominant tree species, Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum, covered 3,937,266 m² with a dry weight of 1,448,533 kilograms. In conclusion, due to insufficient rainfall for the growth of epiphytic moss species in Turkey, harvesting moss from trees is not sustainable. Moreover, it is recommended that sustainable moss harvesting be limited to 1-1.5 tons per hectare on the ground.