Moss and Lichen at the Falls of Bruar

The damp conditions at the Falls of Bruar make an ideal habitat for mosses and lichen. Mosses cover much of the ground beneath the trees and species of lichen cover many of the tree trunks and hang from tree branches.

A foliose type of lichen almost covering a silver birch tree trunk,

The ground beneath the trees is covered in moss.

Many of the fallen branches are covered in fructicose lichens, probably species of the genus usnea.
Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution, especially sulphur dioxide. It tends to grow only in those regions where the air is clean, and of high quality.