[Objective] The water absorption characteristics of five dominant bryophyte species at rocky desertification area of Huaxi district in Guiyang City, included Barbula nigrescens,Eurohypnum leptothallum,Hyophila involuta, Anomondon minor subsp. integerrimus and Grimmia decipiens were studied, in order to provide theoretical support for soil and water conservation work using bryophytes in karst rocky desertification area.[Methods] Totally 120 samples were collected and the taxonomic identification were completed with morphological classification method. After that, biomass, saturated water adsorption rate, water adsorption quantity, the maximum water absorption rate(V_max), the constant of water absorption(K_m) and leaf expanding time of those samples were measured and compared among the five moss species.[Results] (1) There was large difference of biomass, water adsorption quantity and saturated water adsorption rate among the five species, and the maximum water absorption was less different. The ranges of biomass, saturated water adsorption rate, water adsorption quantity, V_max, K_m and leaf expanding time were 10.36~114.51 g/m², 675.43%~1 125.41%, 98.21~766.13 g/m², 35.59~51.28 g/(g·min), 69.97~101.99 g, 35.9~86.1 s, respectively; (2) It was showed that the correlation between biomass and saturated water adsorption quantity was positive. Water adsorption quantity had positive correlations with cover degree, the K_m and V_max. The negative correlation was found between K_m and leaf expansion time.[Conclusion] Bryophytes are adaptable to harsh environment, which had serious water shortage like karst rocky desertification area, with an unique way of water absorption and utilization. Stone-bryophytes can act as the pioneer plants which is highly adaptable to the karst rocky desertification area.