Woodland moss seedheads, Strathspey, Highland Region Scotland. SCO 7703
The life of a moss starts from a haploid spore. The spore germinates to produce a protonema (pl. protonemata), which is either a mass of thread-like filaments or thalloid (flat and thallus-like). Moss protonemata typically look like a thin green felt, and may grow on damp soil, tree bark, rocks, concrete, or almost any other reasonably stable surface. This is a transitory stage in the life of a moss, but from the protonema grows the gametophore ("gamete-bearer") that is structurally differentiated into stems and leaves. A single mat of protonemata may develop several gametophore shoots, resulting in a clump of moss. Wherever they occur, mosses require high levels of moisture to survive because of the lack of a vascular system, and the need for liquid water to complete fertilisation. Many mosses can survive desiccation, sometimes for months, returning to life within a few hours of rehydration.[Scotland's native forests have many faces. The local climate, altitude, terrain and geology all add to the variety and character of the Caledonian Forest. Native pinewoods, mountain woodland, Atlantic oakwoods and birchwoods are among the garments that once cloaked large areas of Scotland, and now remain in scattered pockets. Bog woodlands are yet another of these garments. With their primeval feel, they may be defined as areas in which woodland and bog (or mire) co-exist in a relatively stable relationship. They highlight the way in which Nature often blends the boundaries between one habitat and another. Habitat distribution Bog woodland can be found in many parts of the boreal and temperate zones, for example on the west coast of Canada. Parts of Scandinavia have quite extensive areas of bog woodland, and it also occurs in Germany, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and some of the foothills of the Alps.
Size: 3887px × 5843px
Location: Strathspey, Inverness-shire, Highland Region, Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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