Tag Archives: lichen

The Lichen Symbiosis Part 4

Lichens are fundamental in the development of many ecosystems, and in some areas can provide food for some relatively large organisms. They are often intrinsically linked with primary succession, being the pioneering life forms that can create soil, by actively degrading rock, and releasing the minerals … Continue reading

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The Lichen Symbiosis Part 3

Lichen Reproduction This is no simple matter, only the fungus of the lichen reproduces sexually. Lichens have a number of ways to spread throughout the environment, both sexually and non-sexually. The sexual stage is also complicated by the fact the … Continue reading

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Nitrophilous Lichens

Nitrogen loving (nitrophilous) lichens grow well in situations where there are relatively high levels of nitrogen compounds. Large quantities of nitrogen compounds enter our atmosphere from vehicle exhaust, through artificial agricultural fertiliser input (and subsequent decay into air bore pollutants) … Continue reading

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The Lichen Symbiosis Part 2

Lichens are a partnership. This can involve two or more partners in the one species. The partners are firstly mycobiont fungi often ascomycota, of which ascomycota forms the largest phylum of the kingdom fungi. Ascomycota contains 75% of all described fungi species and is … Continue reading

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The Lichen Symbiosis Part 1

Lichens are an abundant and very diverse group, with the BLS estimating that there are over 2000 species in the UK, with many new species and morphs being found, and added to the list each year! Across the globe there … Continue reading

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