Lakeland Atlantic Woodland - lichens

While walking round Ennerdale, we came across a superb section of wall that was home to some beautiful lichens and mosses. I could have spent a long time photographing there ! 

This text is from Plantlife's excellent guide to the Lichens of Atlantic Woodlands in the Lake District - I recommend it Click for the link  : What is temperate rainforest? Temperate rainforest is a type of usually ancient natural or semi-natural, broad-leaved woodland found in western Britain and Ireland where the climate is mild and wet due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. These conditions are ideal for a range of important lichens. Temperate rainforest has been compared to tropical rainforest because of their luxuriant growth of lichens, ferns, mosses and liverworts. Why are the Lake District’s temperate rainforests important for lichens? The temperate rainforests of western Britain are an important habitat for many lichens, mosses and liverworts. Many of these are largely confined to areas with low air pollution and ancient or long-established woodlands, for example those that have never been clear-felled or intensively coppiced. They play a fundamental role in woodland ecosystems, and are indicators of habitats that are of high quality and have been that way for a long period of time.

As always the guide was at home, when really I should have taken it with me! It's also nice to just enjoy the lichens as they are rather  than naming everything - well that's my excuse! Having said that I have been reliably informed the dark brown Peltigera lichen with brown fruiting bodies is Peltigera Membranacea and having looked it up I reckon it is.