‘Lichens are a pioneer species which enable all life — conserving them is vital’

Source: The post is based on the article “‘Lichens are a pioneer species which enable all life — conserving them is vital’” published in The Times of India on 1^st October 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

Relevance: About Lichens.

News: At present most conservation work is focused on charismatic species, like tigers and elephants. But Plants and lower plants, like lichen, ferns and mosses, were neglected.

What are Lichens?

Lichens are a complex life form that is a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms, a fungus and an alga. The outer skin and internal structure of a lichen is made of strands of fungal hyphae. Interspersed among the strands inside the lichen are individual cells of algae.

Lichens do not have roots or structures like other plants, they depend on the atmosphere for air and water. So, the quality of ambience reflects in the diversity of lichens.

There are three broad categories of lichen. 1) Foliose – These are flat and leaf-like lichens, 2) Crustose – These are formed as a layer, 3) Fruticose – These lichens resemble minishrubs.

Spread: Between six to eight percent of Earth’s surface is covered by lichen, with over 15,000 known species.

Why Lichen is a pioneer species?

Lichen is a ‘pioneer species’ because a) They are among the most ancient organisms on Earth. For instance, they are found in the Jurassic era, b) They are the first to appear on barren rocks, in deserts and icy terrain and after disturbances like landslides, c) They play a foundational role in enabling all life. For example, they aid in weathering rocks, creating soil – the basis of all life, d) In deserts, lichen form a crust over the surface, retaining moisture — only in such spots do desert trees grow, e) These are also bioindicators of pollution. As they depend on the atmosphere for air and water.

What are the other benefits of Lichens?

Animals and birds depend on Lichens: Some Lichens are consumed by musk deer in winter, when little else grows (this is similar to the Arctic reindeer which eat moss, after whom ‘reindeer moss’ is named), while others are used by birds and woolly flying squirrels to pad their nests.

Formed via a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae, they resemble a micro-ecosystem and with lower plants like mosses. They attract insects, birds, snails, frogs and little animals needing food, habitat and shelter.

Spices and perfumes: Parmotrema tinctorum and Ramalina sinensis respectively are used as spices and in perfumes, particularly utilised in the famous perfumeries of Kannauj.

Medicinal value: Some lichens are used in medicines for asthma and fractures. Some lichens have biochemicals which can treat cancers.

Source of income: Villages usually collect lichen and sell it to traders for its many uses.

What are the threats faced by Lichens at present?

a) Lichen found in alpine regions could be affected by growing climate change, b) Species migration is at work now, with global warming forcing animals and treelines to move to higher, cooler altitudes — lichen at 4,000 metres and in Arctic regions could be affected, c) Deforestation: If host trees are destroyed, so are the lichen on them, d) Pollution in urban areas: Traffic in urban areas produces nitrogen which damages the algae that make food for lichen.

What are the conservation efforts for Lichens?

In 2018, Uttarakhand decided to develop a park devoted entirely to lichens. Munsiyari in Kumaon was chosen as they have more than 130 lichen species.

What should be done to protect lichens?

Policymakers must have in-depth ecological knowledge while framing policies, for instance, they should 1) Understand the link between species, 2) Access scientific research on the impacts of losing biodiversity, 3) Learn about habitats which shouldn’t be disturbed, etc.