11 Suolijärvi nature trail information board

The plant kingdom of evergreen shade

Moss covers the forest floor and the surface of rocks in dense stands. Its ability to tolerate shade and intermittent drought are the trump cards of its success. Unlike many other plants, mosses remain green throughout the winter. 

It is now believed that the first plants to colonise the land 500 million years ago resembled the mosses of today! 

The masterful mushroom of poor habitats

Lichens are master breeders in places where few other fungi or plants thrive, such as bare rocks and very dry and nutrient-poor woodlands. Lichens are typically composed of two organisms; a fungal angiosperm and a green alga. Most lichens require a sunny and stable habitat. Lichens are slow growing and do not like air pollution. Lichen infestations in Finnish cities were caused by industrial emissions. However, many lichens have returned to cities as air quality has improved.

The skin of the forest

Despite their small size, mosses and lichens are an important part of the forest and especially the well-being of its soil. Moss binds water and loose soil and provides a habitat for many soil beetles.

In northern conditions, lichens can grow in large stands to protect thin soils from the abrasive effects of rain and wind. Thanks to their light colour, they also reflect solar radiation away, cooling the soil. 

Naivas and lupus are also lichens. They grow on the surface of trees and their bristly and sticky structure makes them resemble moustaches. If you want to tell the difference between a lupus and a turnip, try stretching one of its strands. The naava has a rubber band-like elasticity, the lupus does not.

Mosses and lichens take up the water and nutrients they need directly through their surface, as they lack highly specialised structures such as roots, leaves and stems. This structure is called mixed vegetation.

Have you smooched moss?

Did you know that exposure to microscopic organisms in the forest floor can boost immunity and support health in many ways! Read more about the benefits of nature.