to reach 2.5 million annual visitors through Iceland\u2019s main airport in the next few years.<\/span><\/p>\nWhen well over six times the number of inhabitants visit an island country to witness its majestic scenery, natural phenomena like Icelandic geysers and hot springs, and its rich local culture, how do we do so responsibly? What\u2019s important to know or do, especially around Iceland\u2019s beautiful and widespread moss?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Discover Icelandic Moss: A Lichen Thriving in the Arctic<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nFirst of all, Icelandic moss (Cetraria islandica) is not <\/span>actually<\/span> moss but a lichen, which is a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae. This lichen is characterized by its brown to grayish-white color and its upright, leaf-like thallus that can grow up to 2.75 inches tall. The branches are trough-shaped and fork into flattened lobes with fringed edges. Icelandic moss <\/span>is found<\/span> in the mountainous regions of northern countries, including the lava slopes and plains of Iceland, which is how it got its name.<\/span><\/p>\nThe prevalence of the lichen we call Icelandic moss reflects various environmental factors, such as the climate and the repeated formation of new substrates, particularly lava fields.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nIn <\/span>the harsh climates of Iceland<\/span>, this lichen thrives by clinging to rocks and soil, absorbing moisture and nutrients directly through its surface. It reproduces both sexually, through the formation of spores that are dispersed by the wind, and asexually, <\/span>by<\/span> fragmentation, where a piece of the lichen breaks off and grows into a new organism.<\/span><\/p>\nRemarkably resilient, Icelandic moss can endure long periods of dryness, rehydrating rapidly with the return of moisture. Its growth is extremely slow, reflecting the challenging conditions it endures.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nWhen <\/span>the<\/span> moss is crushed or torn, it loses its ability to photosynthesize efficiently, which is critical for its survival and growth. Additionally, the <\/span>structure of the moss<\/span> is delicate, and the pressure from footsteps can compress the soil, reducing aeration and making it harder for the moss to re-establish itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Waterfall in Thingvellier National Park<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Iceland\u2019s Green Mantle: How Moss Shapes the Land of Fire and Ice<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nIcelandic moss contributes to the ecosystem in several ways:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Soil Formation and Stability:<\/span><\/strong> It helps <\/span>in the formation of<\/span> soil from volcanic rock and stabilizes <\/span>the soil<\/span>, preventing erosion.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Water Retention:<\/span><\/strong> Mosses retain water and humidity, <\/span>which is<\/span> crucial in the harsh Icelandic environment.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Biodiversity Support:<\/span><\/strong> They provide habitat for a variety of microorganisms and invertebrates.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Food Source:<\/span><\/strong> It serves as an important food source for grazing animals like reindeer and caribou.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Carbon Sequestration:<\/span><\/strong> By absorbing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, mosses help reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Nutrient Cycling:<\/span><\/strong> They play a role in nutrient cycling by breaking down organic material and returning nutrients to the soil.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Indicator Species:<\/span><\/strong> Mosses can indicate the health of an ecosystem, as they are sensitive to environmental changes.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Climate Regulation:<\/span><\/strong> Through their water retention and carbon sequestration abilities<\/span>, mosses contribute to climate regulation<\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n