The following points highlight the eight major importance of lichens. The importance are: 1. Early Colonisers 2. Food 3. Dyes 4. Perfumes 5. Medicines 6. Air Pollution 7. Fires 8. Damaging Buildings. Importance # 1. Early Colonisers: Lichens are early or pioneer colonisers of barren dry and naked rocks, cliffs, mountains and new terrains. During their growth lichens etch the [...]
In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Definition of Lichens 2. Structure of Lichens 3. Relationships 4. Reproduction. Definition of Lichens: Lichens are dual organisms or entities which contain a permanent association of a fungus or mycobiont and an alga or phycobiont. The fungal partner is usually an Ascomycota and sometimes, a basidiomycete. The algal partner is mostly a [...]
In this article we will discuss about the economic importance of lichens. A. Useful Aspects: (a) Ecological significance: (i) Pioneer colonizers: Lichens are said to be the pioneers in establishing vegetation on bare rocky areas (lithosere). They are the first members to colonize the barren rocky area. During development they bring about the disintegration of rock stones (biological weathering) by [...]