![]() ![]() Lichens can provide us with valuable information about the environment around us. One of the ways lichens directly benefit humans is through their ability to absorb everything in their atmosphere, especially pollutants. Because lichens enable algae to live all over the world in many different climates, they also provide a means to convert carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through photosynthesis into oxygen, which we all need to survive. ![]() Since the fungus can protect its algae, these normally water-requiring organisms can live in dry, sunny climates without dying, as long as there are occasional rain showers or flooding to let them recharge and store food for the next drought period. Photo by Doug Ladd.Īnother important function of lichens is that they provide a mode of survival in harsh environments where algae cannot normally survive. How enchanting would the Pacific Northwest be without the long drapes of Alectoria sarmentosa (witch’s hair) hanging from the branches of the old Douglas firs and Sitka spruce? How colorful would the rocks and cliffs be in the Rocky Mountains without the reds, yellows, and greens of the crust lichens? Without these living creatures hanging off of trees or clinging to rocks, our natural areas would look pretty boring and a little more lifeless. One of the most obvious is that they are beautiful to look at. Lichens are important for several reasons. So, the next time you see a bunch of "mossy" stuff hanging from a tree or sitting on a rock, ask yourself, "Is that a lichen or a moss?" Why are Lichens Important? That’s why most lichen pictures will have mosses in the photos. In fact, mosses retain water, which is what lichens use to prolong their growth cycle. What lichens and mosses do have in common are size and habitats. Can you tell which is the lichen and which is the moss? Photo by Doug Ladd. Xanthoparmelia sp., a lichen, on a rock with a moss. Many lichens will have both types of algae. The alga can be either a green alga or a blue-green alga, otherwise known as cyanobacteria. The dominant partner is the fungus, which gives the lichen the majority of its characteristics, from its thallus shape to its fruiting bodies. Lichens are a complex life form that is a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms, a fungus and an alga. Have you ever seen a lichen and knew that it was a lichen? Not many people know what lichens are, and who would? They seem as though they are from another planet! Lichens are bizarre organisms and no two are alike. They are found in a vast diversity of habitats and climates, from the Sonoran desert on the Coronado National Forest, to the alpine tundra of Alaskan mountains on the Chugach National Forest, and in the tropical rainforests of the El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. Lichens are found all across North America and all over the world. There are approximately 3,600 species of lichens in North America and those are just the ones we know about! New discoveries are being made every year. ![]()
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