Moss and lichen

Lichens and mosses are among the oldest non-aquatic life forms on earth. Large areas of our planet were already covered with a soft green moss carpet and colourful lichens before the appearance of other plants. The slow accumulation of the biomass that they produce creates growth sites for more demanding species.

Lichens and mosses thrive on the rocky slopes of Alkkianvuori. Because of the water flowing along the surfaces, the conditions at the site are damp, and competing vegetation is unable to spread in the barren environment. For this reason, the area is also home to rare species. For example, Alkkianvuori is the northernmost habitat of fox-tail feather-moss in Finland.