Reindeer Lichen © Luna Loiseau-Tremblay
F L O R A + FAU N A O F T H E N O R T H W E S T C OA S T A Look at Lichens LU NA LOISEAU -T R EM B LAY With the change in season comes the rehydrating of
Lichens are important because their presence is an in-
a group of special organisms often mistaken for fun-
dicator of healthy air quality, but they also contribute
gi. Lichens are all around us when we step outside; on
significantly to many processes such as nitrogen fixa-
the forest floor, plastered on tree trunks, pouring from
tion and the biodiversity of plants and animals. With
branches up in the tree canopy, forming designs on
over 1000 species on the Pacific Northwest, lichens are
grave markers in a cemetery, clinging onto rock bluffs,
a popular food, shelter and nesting source for many
even park benches!
different kinds of animals from deer, elk and moose
Lichens are an example of a fascinating mutual symbiosis between fungi (the mycobiont) and a photosynthetic plant partner, namely green algae and/or cyanobacteria (the photobiont). In a lichen, the plant partner converts carbon dioxide into carbohydrates through
to mice, squirrels, birds and a multitude of insects and other arthropods. Lichens were traditionally used in many different ways by humans, and in this day and age are used as antibacterials in medicines, and in textiles such as wool dyes.
photosynthesis, while the fungal partner provides the
Growth of lichens comes in three main forms, defined
structure, allowing for greater surface area for the up-
by the terminology fruticose, foliose and crustose.
take of minerals and protection from too much light
Fruticose lichens are shrubby, an example common to
and drying up. Because of this incredible partnership,
our area is Reindeer lichens (Cladonia sp.), while foliose
lichens are able to live in every environment, from dry
lichens are leafy and are often epiphytic, using trees as
coastal desert climates to freezing arctic temperatures,
a support to grow and live on but without taking nutri-
able to withstand an amazing spectrum between very
ents from the supporting structure. A common species
wet and very dry conditions.
of foliose lichen on the coast Lobaria pulmonaria (Tree
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