Microorganisms on the cut surface of felled tree trunks

Photographer

Martin Luzi Büechi

Category

Nature Photography - Plants and Fungi

Company

Submission Group

Amateur

Year

2026

Country / Region:

Switzerland

Some of these logs are covered in interesting patterns formed by microorganisms, such as mosses, lichens, moulds and fungi. The fruiting bodies of saprophytic fungi are particularly striking. Most these microorganisms thrive in cold, damp conditions and are easily visible on the cut surfaces of felled and stacked trees. To the uninformed observer, wood left to decay may seem like a waste of resources. However, the biotic communities that inhabit it are useful indicators of biodiversity and the natural state of forest ecosystems. Through my photographs, I aim to highlight the beauty of these microorganisms on felled tree trunks, a beauty that is often overlooked despite their diverse and interesting shapes and colors.

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