Mossy Micro Environment

This micro-biome inspired by the Boott Spur Trail will take you through the world of moss and liverworts native to the old growth forest at 3,800 feet. This piece is meant to show the intricacy, variety, and beauty of nature at its smallest. I wanted to showcase my take on the many tree stumps littering the trail, hosting an abundance of life from their death. Everything you see in scene is handsculpted and brought to life in Unreal Engine 5

The first challenge I had when starting was to identify what I was looking at in my reference photos. Tree types and ages to determine accurate representation. Moss species, liverwort species, slime mold and toads. I wanted to ensure I was as accurate to this specific region and elevation as possible. I also took into account time of year as this was peak time for the moss spores