Last year, as the seasons transitioned from autumn to winter, a group of natural history photographers, went to search for one of the world’s rarest moss species.

Image: Moss under the microscope (Diplophyllum albicans). By Katie Waddington.

Up early on what seemed to be the greyest day of the year, we made the trip from Falmouth to England’s most south-westerly upland; Bodmin Moor. Rain hammering on the car windows, the open main roads quickly turned into small country lanes with vast, barren expanses of land surrounding us. Approaching our destination, cattle and Bodmin Moor ponies graze, wandering assertively around our vehicle. Parking up, we brave the pouring rain and chilling wind to be immediately presented with a beautifully bleak view of The Hurlers. A bronze age monument made up of three standing stone circles marking the base of the famous Cheesewring granite tor.

Here we are met by John Sproull, project officer for Back from the Brink’s Cornish Path Moss project. Cornish Path Moss (Ditrichum cornubicum) is a bryophyte species endemic to Cornwall. First discovered in 1963, it can only be found in three sites worldwide; two of which are in Cornwall with an additional site in Ireland. Its rarity accounted mostly to the extreme habitat requirements it needs to survive. These include metalliferous soil with compositions high in arsenic, cobalt and copper. While invasive species and hardy larger moss species also pose threats to Cornish Path Moss, the rich mining history of Bodmin dating back to the Bronze Age and prospering until the 1900’s has created the perfect conditions for populations to thrive.

Splitting into two groups we jump into two Rover’s and head into the depths of the misty Moor in search of Cornish Path Moss. After a short, but bumpy ride, we pull up near one of Bodmin’s many old mining sites. The remnants of an abandoned engine house towers over us as we venture over the moor until we are greeted by an endless sea of lush green terrain speckled with plots of grit and exposed topsoil. Could this be where the Cornish Path Moss grows? The search was trickier than expected, as this species is only 2mm in length and normally grows scattered in between larger moss species such as Redshank Ceratodon purpureus (a very common moss species). Luckily, we had strong magnifying glasses to help us with our mission. Soon, everyone was kneeling on the sodden floor scanning every corner of our patch for this tiny treasure.

Image: Moss under the microscope (Ceratodon purpureus). By Katie Waddington.

After a thorough search, a small clump of the Cornish Path Moss was found. An exciting discovery. Listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and a species of principal importance in England, we were some of the only people to see this vibrant species close up. Although it could be argued that bryophytes are generally overlooked, their importance couldn’t be more prominent. In particular Cornish Path Moss is a great natural tool for absorbing hazardous substances such as arsenic out of the soil and helps regulate and indicate soil climate conditions. By the same token, moss species also provide habitats for many creatures; mainly invertebrates. Interestingly tiny invertebrates, that normally go unnoticed to the naked eye inhabit this ground colonising plant. Tardigrades (Water Bears) as well as Rotifers and Nematodes are amongst these microscopic beasts. Ultimately a hidden world that is intricately detailed and brimming with all the elements of life, prospers from this miniscule moss. Looking through the magnifier at the world quite literally on my fingertip, the hardy nature of such a small organism was fascinating.

Pleased with our finds, we headed to the warmth of a small café on the edge of the moor; our trip had been a success. Having located the moss, now the question is; how can we conserve it? For those working on Back from the Brink’s Cornish Path Moss project, conserving the Cornish Path Moss starts by surveying the species to monitor its population and endeavour to find new populaces throughout the Cornish landscape. Learning about the metal content of the soil is also on the agenda.

While human alteration of a landscape can be seen through both a positive and negative light, witnessing how one of the smallest plant species is thriving from a habitat created by the intrusion of industrialisation, is reassuring. The balancing act that is the interaction of humans and nature, and the fundamental idea of nature always reclaiming once industrialised landscapes, is evident through the story of the Cornish Path Moss, which, through further investigation will provide a greater understanding of its needs and distribution. But most importantly will provide many hopeful ideas; firstly, that the most incredible, rare species are sometimes lurking right under our noses. And secondly, that in some cases humanities past interference with a landscape can sometimes reveal new and beautiful life, that otherwise may not subsist.

Thank you to Katie Waddington for her stunning micro photos, to see more of Katie’s work check out her Instagram.

Hidden Worlds: In Search of Cornish Path Moss