Rare lichen sign of good air quality on Exmoor

Rare lichen is sign of good air quality on Exmoor

A rare organism that is thriving on Exmoor is a positive sign for nature, according to wildlife experts. The Beard Lichen (above) is highly sensitive to air quality and therefore will only grow in areas with low pollution levels, staff at Exmoor National Park say.

The delicate species, often found anchored onto the bark of tree trunks and branches, is formed from a mix of fungi and algae.

Exmoor National Park ranger Charlotte Wray said, “Lichens are a wonderful example of cooperation in nature, as they bring together a plant species with a fungi species and have existed for millions of years.”

“On Exmoor we have many lichen-rich habitats such as the woodland through the Barle Valley, the coastal woods that stretch from Porlock to Countisbury and the temperate rainforest at Horner Wood which supports many vital, rare lichens.”

A Woodland Trust spokesperson added, “It’s effective against bacteria including tuberculosis and was traditionally used to treat wounds and things like gangrene.”

Beard Lichen in the Barle Valley on Exmoor in March this year - photo by Peter Robinson