Lichens are much harder and many are flatter than moss, although some lichens are stringy,' says Scott. 'Lichens on rocks are flat, on trees they are stringy,' he explains. Moss, on the other hand ...

While some may regard lichens and mosses as something to get rid of, Andy Brown finds they are remarkably resilient.

Here, scattered amongst exposed rock surfaces encrusted with a wide variety of lichens and mosses, are found several unique plants typical of regions much farther to the north. These hardy pioneers ...

Lichens and mosses can squeeze into cracks and crevices ... Critters big and small trample, crush, and plow rocks as they scurry across the surface and burrow underground. Plants and animals ...