How does a small plants help a rotting log to decay? And What do the plant get from this log?

Question

What does ferns and mosses need to live? the one that forms lichen

Answer 1

Mosses mostly need a firm shaded & moist place to attach themselves to so that they can reproduce a rotting log provides these conditions. The root structure (or rhizomes) of the mosses help to break down the bark and then the underlying pulp faster and the matted nature of the moss clump is good for absorbing moisture which speeds up the decomposing cycle.

The moss can also absorb the nutients from the dying log as well.

If enough of a dirt clump is accumulated in the moss mat ferns can grow there also. Ferns love a shaded moist environment also. Regular trees have less acid in them rather than pine/evergreen ones so both Mosses & fern do well there,

Lichen on the other hand will grow in more places than moss. Lichen is a combination of a fungus & a type of algaeIt can start to grow on any hard surface liike: leaves, rocks & fences. Lichen only need a hard surface and access to moisture, nutrients and sunlight.