What's this on my friends lawn?

She sent me a picture and asked for advice and I have no idea what it is or how to treat it.

 

Have a look at this.
Algae, lichens and liverworts on lawns / RHS Gardening

 

Thanks. I think that's her problem and it doesn't look simple to get rid of without addressing the drainage and compaction issues. Looks like she has some work to do.

 

That’s normally the best cure. Is it just localised?

 

I'll have to wait to ask her, she isn't easy to get in touch with.

I think I can guess where you're going though. Localised would suggest poor conditions in just one area = less work to fix?

 

Normally it’s localised but there’s no harm in given the lawn a good work over if you are there.

 

She's not going to bother dealing with it seeing as she's going to be moving in a couple of years and the new owners might not even want to keep the lawn. No point spending all that time and money. I told her she could treat it with moss treatment but that wouldn't sort the underlying problem.