Bog moss is a low growing, spongy looking plant that is light green or yellowish in colour.
It forms large patches in damp areas and feels springy under foot.
Bog moss can be seen in areas of wet heathland and bogs across the New Forest.
Bog moss can grow where there are few minerals in the soil because it can take in minerals from rainwater. The old dead moss builds up and over time this creates peat. Bog moss can absorb up to 20 times its dry weight of water! Its ability to soak up liquid and its special antiseptic qualities meant it was used as a wound dressing during the First World War.
Producer - As a green plant, bog moss produces energy through the process of photosynthesis.
Perhaps the biggest threat to the wet heathland of the National Park is through Global Warming.
Peat is still used as compost in the UK. This involves digging up the peat and removing it from the habitat. Peat acts as a store for carbon and as a result removing the peat accelerates global warming. Why not use alternatives to peat to compost the garden?