Plankton of the Land: Mosses, Lichens, and Fungi in Pacific Northwest Forests

Presenter: Kem Luther, PhD; Naturalist and Writer, Vancouver Island, BC

Plankton are the foundation of life in the ocean. Is there an analogy in terrestrial ecosystems? Yes, there is! In the Pacific Northwest, the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems is the “Stegnon”, the layer of organic life just above, within, and below the soil of the forest floor. Here, mosses, lichens, and fungi create and process nutrients essential for other life.