Mosses form an important part of Arctic tundra habitats and grow thickly here, where there is sufficient water and soil. They can be so thick in places that walking on them gives the sensation of stepping on a soft mattress. However, the footprints left by tourists in moss-covered areas remain long after the event, and it is important that tourists are informed. At this particular site on Svalbard these mosses are extensively used as nesting material by the Kittiwake species of seabird.