Field Notes: Slow botany

Glenridding Common Manager Pete Barron urges you to 'stop, stoop and study' the often unseen and discreet treasures of the uplands - mosses, liverworts and lichens.

The Trust is very keen for people to get out onto the fells and experience the mental and physical well being which this can bring. We also urge you to slow down occasionally and think about what else you may be sharing your experience with in our wonderful wild places.

Recent studies of Glenridding Common's moss, liverwort and lichen communities have highlighted important examples which we often see, pass by and even stand on without a further thought. Because this remarkable assemblage of species manages to survive in some of our most inhospitable uplands, they can be extremely rare and important.

Although no comprehensive survey has been undertaken on Glenridding Common as yet, national experts have found some remarkable species among the 214 mosses, 80 liverworts and 207 lichen species they have identified in just two key locations on the hill.

The list includes three nationally rare and nationally scarce lichens - that were previously undescribed and only found on Helvellyn - and three new finds for England.

So next time you are on the fells, check out the mosses, liverworts and lichens which are the upland start of a hugely important part of our fauna. Even better, take a hand lens and have a close up look - the names are irrelevant it is the appreciation which is important - you will not be disappointed.

• Find out more about our work on Glenridding Common.
• Find out more about our Wild and Well campaign that celebrates the invaluable connection between wild places and people's health.

Photographs of colourful upland lichens and the rare Duval’s thread moss by Pete Barron