This work was supported by a grant from Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (no: 08390513800) and two grants from Education Commission of Shanghai Municipality (no. 062219 ).

Based on our studies from 2004 to 2013, bryophytes growing in polluted environments and those sensitive to pollutions were selected; A complete list of bryophytes in Yangtze River Delta region was obtained. The historical change of the environmental quality in Yangtze River Delta region was revealed. A method how to apply bryophytes to monitor environmental quality and changes was provided, which was used to evaluate the environmental quality in two district in Shanghai as a demonstration case.