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Lichens: Fungi-Algae Symbiosis Explained

Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria. The main structure is a fungus that provides protection and moisture to the algae, which provides food for the fungus through photosynthesis. Lichens can colonize areas that other plants cannot, and provide nitrogen fixation and food sources in ecosystems. They are also sensitive to air pollution and used as indicators of environmental quality.

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107 views17 pages

Lichens: Fungi-Algae Symbiosis Explained

Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria. The main structure is a fungus that provides protection and moisture to the algae, which provides food for the fungus through photosynthesis. Lichens can colonize areas that other plants cannot, and provide nitrogen fixation and food sources in ecosystems. They are also sensitive to air pollution and used as indicators of environmental quality.

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lichens

Oliver Hendy

Lichens
Lichens are actually two organisms living
symbiotically with each other
The main structure of the lichen is a
fungus, but incorporated into the fungus
are photosynthetic algae
Fungi benefits from photosynthetic
products of algae. Algae gets physical
protection and moisture from filaments
Background photo by Jacopo

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~gbarron/MISC2006/lichen3.jpg

"Lichens are fungi that have


discovered agriculture"
Trevor Goward

Lichen Types

("Introduction to Lichens, ucmp.berkeley.edu)

Fruticose Lichen

Photographer: Heino Lepp

Crustose Lichen

Photographer: Heino Lepp

https://nhgardensolutions.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/14-golden-moonglow-lichen.jpg

Foliose Lichen

Lichen Ecology
Many organisms are not able to fix
Nitrogen
Algae in bacteria are capable of
doing so
Provides a significant source of
nitrogen in ecosystems, as direct
food sources or after dying

http://www.hdwallsource.com/lichen-34300.html/lichen-34300

Lichen Ecology
Lichens are an important food source
in ecosystems, especially in higher
latitudes where big plants dont grow
very well
Many hummingbirds also use lichens
to build their nests

http://www.garyyost.com/data/photos/386_1nesting_annas_hummingbird_7101.jpg

Lichens are a pioneer


species
Because lichens are photosynthic
and are anchored by fungal rhizines,
they can colonize biologically
tough areas
They also prepare the way for future
species.

http://jenniferamon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/LICHEN-1.jpg

Lichens in Conservation
Lichens are very suceptible to air
pollution, since they exchange gases
freely with their surroundings.
They are good indicators of air
pollution and used by biologists and
ecologists to survey different areas.

Finale
Ecological Photography Lichen Crash Course

https://wallwidehd.com/lichen-on-tree-bark-wal

References
Introduction to Lichens. (n.d.). Retrieved February
12, 2015, from
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/lichens/lichens.
html
Lichens: Symbiotic Relationship Between Algae and
Fungus. (2012, November 26). Retrieved February
12, 2015, from
http://www.decodedscience.com/little-lichens-morethan-a-plant/20893
What is a lichen? (n.d.). Retrieved February 12,
2015, from https://www.anbg.gov.au/lichen/what-islichen.html

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