The relatively stable environment of old growth forests is ideal for lichen and moss. As the forests grows old, between 150-200 years, the lichen variety increases and peaks around 350 years of age (Cannings & Cannings, 1996). Although, moss and lichen's contribution to the overall ecosystem is not completely understood, their species are known to play a role in air quality, food, habitat, biodiversity, decomposition, and so forth. They're part of that intricate and delicate web of life that clings to the few inches of topsoil where life thrives on this rocky planet.
Resource
British Columbia: A Natural History by Richard Cannings and Sydney Cannings (1996).
The whole as a whole that helps each other even if we don't fully understand it. Beautiful image!
The interconnections between living organisms found in nature are astonishing 🌱
All of it is amazing!