What is the importance of lichens in nature and human life?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of lichens in nature and human life. After all, despite their tiny size, they are the most important element in the Earth's ecosystem. Moreover, over many years of research, people have learned to use lichens in various areas of production.

But, unfortunately, not many people are able to boast that they are familiar with this amazing family of plants. In order to fix this, let's talk about the true meaning of lichens in nature and human life.

What is a lichen?

Lichen is an amazing symbiosis of fungi and algae. At the same time, lichens have absorbed the best qualities of both families. They absorb water quite quickly, as fungi do, and algae genes provide them with a mechanism for photosynthesis. That is why the lichen is unpretentious to the habitat and can survive even in the harshest climate.

But what is the significance of lichens in nature and human life? Let's start with the fact that these plantssignificantly affect their own habitat. This is due to the fact that lichen acid partially destroys the surface, thereby lowering its density and allowing weaker plants to break through to the light.

The ecological significance of lichens in nature and in human life

Like any plant, lichens process carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. This fact becomes even more significant when you consider that the mentioned plants do well in those parts of the world where others simply cannot survive.

Also, lichens are excellent biosensors. They instantly react to air pollution. Therefore, scientists, studying the ecological situation in the region, first of all take samples of lichens for analysis. In addition, these plants retain heavy metals inside, therefore, thanks to them, even minor bursts of radiation can be detected.

Practical significance of lichens in nature and human life

Lichens are a source of carbohydrates for many animals. For example, wild goats are very fond of this delicacy, so they wander from place to place in search of it. In the North, where winter lasts a very long time, lichens have become the basis of the diet for such animals as elk, deer, wild boar.

But among people there are those who are not averse to eating this representative of the flora. True, not every type of lichen can be used for this purpose. So, lichen manna, as well as gyrofora, are considered edible. The latter, by the way, is the basisfor many Japanese dishes.

Industrial value of lichens

So, the role of lichens in nature and human life is very clear, but what about the industrial side of the issue? It is probably not a secret for anyone that in recent years this plant has been actively used in many industries.

So, oakmoss and plum evernia are added to perfumes in order to give them special notes. And some varieties of lichen are used to create paints. The reason for this is the same property to hold metals.

But more importantly, many drugs are made from them. For example, Parmelia is used to prepare a cure for epilepsy, Icelandic moss helps with poisoning, and Lobaria relieves pneumonia. In addition, some varieties of lichen have antibacterial properties.