Lichen is among the humblest of visible organisms on Earth. Yet it can survive in some of the harshest conditions, including the arctic, desert regions, and even in the vacuum of space. They manage this because lichens are not a single plant, but in fact a symbiosis of algae and fungus. The algal part of the equation provides the food through photosynthesis, and the fungal part provides the living quarters and protects the food-producing algal cells.
Lichens are not only interesting from a survival standpoint; they are also very useful. In many regions they provide an important food source for some species of animal (such as reindeer in the arctic), or even for humans. They have been used to create purple and red dyes, and have even served as primitive antibiotics due to the bacteria-killing secondary compounds that some species produce.
Lichens are a fantastic natural example of the benefits of two distinct entities working together. Today, think about how working with other people, animals, or even different aspects of your own personality benefits you. Mix it up and find a way to harmonize that you hadn't thought of before! Just don't try sitting in orbit for two weeks without a space suit...
(Lichen image from Wikimedia Commons.)
In addition to being one of the humblest visible organisms on earth, it's also what happens when Freddy Fern and Alice Algae take a lichen to each other!
Posted by: Dave | 06/18/2010 at 11:12 PM