The wonderful world of moss!

This time of year moss can be pleasing to the eye as it is the richest green in the forest. The uk has over 800 species of moss. These flowerless plants are a very important part of the ecosystem because they prevent soil erosion while capturing water and nutrients. They create a protective layer on tree bark without harming the tree and provide shelter for seeds to germinate as well as a home for creatures like woodlice and slugs. Moss is often moved by birds lifting it to find a juicy meal from underneath. This is not a problem to the moss as it has stems and leaves, but no roots. Instead moss produces spores with the male cells needing water to travel and fertilise with the female spores, this is why it is found in damp woodlands here around the New forest.

So, it is not only aesthetically pleasing and tactile but a very important part of the woodland ecosystem.