Significance of Lichens
Lichens play a crucial role in ecosystems, providing numerous environmental and human benefits. These include:
- Indicator of Environmental Health: Lichens are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Lichens are good indicators of air pollution, making them valuable for ecological monitoring.
- Soil Formation and Stability: Lichens contribute to soil formation by breaking down rocks and other substrates through physical and chemical weathering processes. Their ability to colonize barren habitats helps initiate soil development and stabilize surfaces, paving the way for the establishment of other plant species.
- Pioneer Organisms: Lichens are often good pioneer organisms in bare habitats and play an important role in ecological succession.
- Food Source: Lichens are food for various wildlife species, including insects, birds, and small mammals like reindeer. Humans can also eat some species.
- Medicinal Uses: Certain lichen species contain bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications.
- Industrial Use: Some lichens are also used to extract dyes.
Also Read: Thallophyta
Lichens
Lichens, also known as lichen trees or lichen plants, are symbiotic associations between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. The lichen types include – lichen crustose, lichen foliose, and lichen fruticose. Lichen is an example of mutualism.
The fungal component provides structure and protection, while the algal or cyanobacterial component contributes through photosynthesis. Lichens are highly adaptable and thrive in various environments, from arctic tundras to deserts.
Lichens play ecological roles such as soil stabilization, nitrogen fixation, and contributing to primary succession on bare substrates. In this article, we will read about Lichens, their general characteristics, structure, types, classification, and significance of lichen.
Table of Content
- What are Lichens?
- Lichens Characteristics
- Diagram of Lichens
- Structure of Lichens
- Types of Lichens
- Lichens Classification
- Significance of Lichens