Nature & Heritage

Moss

Mosses are ancient plants, they have existed on this planet for over 450 million years. With 15,000 – 25,000 species globally, they are an incredibly diverse group. They are found on every continent where they play vital roles in their ecosystems.

Mosses are unusual plants: They do not have roots, flowers or structures for transporting water and nutrients. They’re also small, growing just centimetres high.

Despite this, they are capable of shaping ecosystems and creating some of the most important carbon sinks on the planet.

In The Flow Country, mosses have been slowly changing the landscape for over 9000 years.

Sphagnum

Sphagnum mosses are also known as the ‘bog mosses’. These mosses are a vital part of peatland ecosystems. They grow over landscapes, covering them in a rich, biodiverse carpet, which allows other species to thrive. When these mosses die, the wet, acidic conditions mean they do not fully break down, instead forming layers of peat.

Sphagnum mosses are an integral part of the Flow Country's ecosystem

There are 34 different species of Sphagnum found in Scotland, and 29 of them are found in The Flow Country. There are three key species to look out for: