Yes, moss can grow on lava rock.
While often associated with lichen, lava rock can indeed support moss growth, especially in shaded and moist environments. The rough, porous texture of lava rock provides an excellent surface for moss to anchor itself and retain moisture, creating a suitable habitat for various moss species.
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Environmental Factors: The presence of moss on lava rock is heavily influenced by environmental conditions. Shaded areas that retain moisture are more conducive to moss growth than sun-exposed, dry locations.
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Nutrient Availability: Mosses are generally adaptable and can thrive in nutrient-poor environments. They obtain nutrients from rainwater, atmospheric deposition, and the decomposition of organic matter that accumulates on the rock surface.
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Competition: Mosses often compete with lichen for space and resources on lava rock. The dominance of either moss or lichen can depend on factors such as moisture levels and sunlight exposure. As mentioned in the reference, lichen are more common, but moss can still thrive.
Therefore, while lichen is more frequently observed on lava rocks, particularly brightly colored varieties, moss is also capable of growing on lava rock, especially in favorable conditions.
