Abstract: Bryophytes usually are thought to be valueless and neglected by the public due to the small size.It has been overviewed in the paper that the ecological functions of bryophytes to ecosystems,including CO₂ fixation,water and nutrients cycling and reserve,and forest renewal.The significant role of bryophytes in restoration and revegetation of degraded ecosystems is focused on.Some preliminary suggestions are given for further study on bryophyte biodiversity and ecology in desertification-prone areas.

Key words: bryophytes, ecological function, restoration and revegetation