Lichens

Credit: DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption: Two species of crustose (crustlike) lichens growing on a tombstone in a Norfolk (UK) churchyard. The bright orange rosettes with lobed edges are Caloplaca sp, the grey clusters with upturned inner edges are Physcia adscendens. Symbiotic organisms, lichens consist of an algal & a fungal partner. The fungus benefits from the photosynthetic activity of the alga. The advantage to the alga remains unclear, but may lie in protection from drought & intense light. Slow growing organisms (1-2mm per year), they live to immense ages, colonising tree trunks, soil, rock, & mortar. Lichens are sensitive to sulphur dioxide & hence used to monitor air pollution.

Release details: Model release not required. Property release not required.

Keywords: air pollution, algae, botany, caloplaca sp, dye, fungus, lichen, lichens, mutualism, nature, physcia adscendens, plant, symbiosis, symbiotic

Licence fees: A licence fee will be charged for any media (low or high resolution) used in your project.