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Lichen on forest trees

Forest walk at Roaring Billy Falls at Haast river, New Zealand.

Lichens need clean air to flourish so are a good indicator of the air quality of the surrounding area. Much of the forest in the South Island is ideal for lichens, where many species can be found dripping from the trees. Pictured are miro, matai and silver beech trees covered with lichens and mosses.

Rights: Tatiana Gerus/Tatters, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Published:18 June 2008Size: 943.07 KB