NEW SPECIES OF FUNGUS TARGETS INVASIVE MOSS IN THE UK
A Discovery on the Isle of Wight
A newly identified fungus, dubbed "moss die-back," is showing promise as a natural control agent against the invasive heath-star moss (Campylopus introflexus).
Discovered by Dr. George Greiff on the Isle of Wight in 2019, the species was officially confirmed through DNA sequencing. Initial research suggests the fungus is highly specific, primarily targeting heath-star moss and, to a much lesser extent, only one other moss species.
"The fungus may be a native organism that adapted to attack the invader, potentially providing natural biological control."
A Global Invader Threatens UK Habitats
Heath-star moss, which was introduced to Britain from the southern hemisphere in the 1940s, has since become widespread across the UK. Its rapid expansion has come at a cost: it displaces native mosses and poses a serious threat to sensitive environments, including temperate rainforests and peatlands.
A Potential Natural Solution
Scientists are encouraged by the fungus's apparent specificity. The possibility that it is a native organism that has evolved to prey on the invader offers hope for targeted biological control without harming native flora.
Dr. Greiff and his colleagues have already documented the presence of "moss die-back" across England and Wales.
However, further studies are needed to confirm the fungus's full host range and long-term impact on the ecosystem.