Meet the Lichen GroupMeet the Lichen Group

What is a Lichen?What is a Lichen?

A symbiotic relationship (where two A symbiotic relationship (where two species help each other live) species help each other live) between a fungus and photobiont between a fungus and photobiont

This is NOT a LichenThis is NOT a Lichen

Has a flowering reproductive systemHas a flowering reproductive system

Nor is THIS a LichenNor is THIS a Lichen

This is a bromilliad (from the pineapple This is a bromilliad (from the pineapple family, which grows on trees )family, which grows on trees )

This is a Moss with This is a Moss with LiverwortsLiverworts

(Not lichens either)(Not lichens either)

Three Basic TypesThree Basic Types

1. Fruticose1. FruticoseA long strand erect or hanging from the A long strand erect or hanging from the substratesubstrate

2. Crustose2. CrustoseA lichen impossible to remove from the A lichen impossible to remove from the substratesubstrate

3.3. FolioseFolioseLeaflike and easy to remove from the substrateLeaflike and easy to remove from the substrate

Where do Lichens Grow?Where do Lichens Grow?

Trees Trees RocksRocks MetalMetal DirtDirt Dr. BaumanDr. Bauman The Backs of BeetlesThe Backs of Beetles

Ramalina celastriRamalina celastri

FruticoseFruticose

Teloschistes exilisTeloschistes exilis

FruticoseFruticose

Buellia spuriaBuellia spuria

CrustoseCrustose

Usnea cirrosaUsnea cirrosa (Dr. Seuss (Dr. Seuss Plant )Plant )

FruticoseFruticose

Parmotrema austrosineseParmotrema austrosinese

Paromotrema Paromotrema hypotropumhypotropum

FolioseFoliose

Let’s Count the Lichens!!Let’s Count the Lichens!!

Let’s Count the Lichens!!Let’s Count the Lichens!!

Let’s Count the Lichens!!Let’s Count the Lichens!!

Let’s Count the Lichens!!Let’s Count the Lichens!!

Let’s Count the Lichens!!Let’s Count the Lichens!!

Let’s Count the Lichens!!Let’s Count the Lichens!!

Let’s Count the Lichens!!Let’s Count the Lichens!!

Continued Study of Continued Study of Formerly Plotted AreasFormerly Plotted Areas Number of lichens on plot near Number of lichens on plot near

streamstream

-379 different colonies-379 different colonies Number of lichens on plot near roadNumber of lichens on plot near road

- 528 different colonies- 528 different colonies Number of lichens on plot on tornado Number of lichens on plot on tornado

blown hill blown hill

- 131 different colonies- 131 different colonies

What Kills a Lichen?What Kills a Lichen?

Lichens cannot flourish near Lichens cannot flourish near polluted areas such as near houses polluted areas such as near houses or roadsor roads

Many lichens cannot live out of the Many lichens cannot live out of the shadeshade

Lichens cannot live in flooded areas Lichens cannot live in flooded areas Wood chippers kill lichenWood chippers kill lichen

What Are Lichens Good What Are Lichens Good For?For?

Bio-indicator (helps tell where Bio-indicator (helps tell where pollution is present)pollution is present)

Bird nest materialBird nest material Recharging the soil with nitrogenRecharging the soil with nitrogen Food for animals such as reindeer and Food for animals such as reindeer and

ticks. ticks. Help break down rocks and dead treesHelp break down rocks and dead trees Medicines, dyes, and clothing Medicines, dyes, and clothing

materialsmaterials

““To find them in abundance is To find them in abundance is to find a corner of the to find a corner of the

universe where the universe where the environment is still pure and environment is still pure and

unspoiled,” unspoiled,” Lichens of North AmericaLichens of North America

Our Final ThoughtsOur Final ThoughtsTo the Johnston, Bauman, and Schinder family,To the Johnston, Bauman, and Schinder family,

Thank you for allowing us onto your property Thank you for allowing us onto your property and sharing your heritage with each of us. and sharing your heritage with each of us. Thanks to your generosity, we will all carry the Thanks to your generosity, we will all carry the memories with us.memories with us.

To our Haus Frau, Mr. Dutton,To our Haus Frau, Mr. Dutton,Thanks for keeping the home fires warm.Thanks for keeping the home fires warm.

To all our wonderful teachers,To all our wonderful teachers,You’ve each made the experience fun as well as You’ve each made the experience fun as well as educational in your own special way.educational in your own special way.

To Dr. Bauman,To Dr. Bauman,Your enthusiasm is infectious and we enjoyed Your enthusiasm is infectious and we enjoyed learning about your family of lichens. learning about your family of lichens.

Lichen’em? Lichen’em? Heck, We’re Heck, We’re Loven’em!Loven’em!