Diadema aff. antillarum performs a key role in organizing and structuring rocky macroalgae assemblages in the Canary Islands; increased sea urchin population density can result in the formation of rocky grounds covered with crustose algae. In the Canary Islands this type of system alternates with non-crustose macroalgal systems. However, understanding of the process controlling formation, persi...

This study was conducted to identify and classify the lichens; determine the diversity index and richness of lichens. A total of 36 species belonging to six genera under three families was identified. Lichen species were mostly found at moderate high altitudinal range with an elevation of 1,131 meters above sea level and open areas where they received adequate sunlight with high moisture and hu...

What are lichens? The term lichen refers to a symbiotic association between a filamentous fungus, the ‘mycobiont’, and at least one photosynthetic organism, the ‘photobiont’, consisting of a micro alga, a cyanobacterium, or both (Figure 1). Although the symbiotic nature of lichens was first revealed in 1867, the development of a lichen thallus is often so integrated (Figure 1D) that they have b...

The present paper enumerated the occurrence of 30 different species lichens collected from 2 study sites situated in districts Mizoram. It included Crustose (12 sp.), Foliose (16 sp.) and Fruticose (2 along with 9 named as Diploschistes scruposus (Schreb.) Norman, Diorygma macgregorii (Vain.) Kalb, Staiger & Elix, soozanum (Zahlbr.) M. Nakan. Kashiw., Malmidea granifera (Ach.) Rivas Plata L...

Lichens are used as effective monitors to detect low-level air pollution which may affect different flora and fauna communities. Epiphytic lichens have been widely recognized as effective eco-friendly bio-monitors for detection of metal deposition on trees, rocks and bare ground. This article is concerned with the use of lichens in bio-monitoring of air pollution, how the lichens do recognize a...

On many Navajo Sandstone outcrops in southern Utah, steep, decimetre-high scarps (downslope-facing margins of rock sheets) interrupt smooth slopes covered by crustose lichens. Scarps form where sheeting joints and water emerge at the land surface. Weathering scarp faces causes upslope backwasting sheets leaves behind smooth, unweathered surfaces that become stabilized We hypothesize subsurface,...

Abstract Mountains provide a timely opportunity to examine the potential effects of climate change on biodiversity. However, nature conservation in mountain areas have mostly focused observed part biodiversity, not revealing suitable but absent species—dark diversity. Dark diversity allows calculating community completeness, indicating whether sites should be restored (low completeness) or cons...

Antioxidant activity of symbiotic organisms known as lichens is an intriguing field of research because of its strong contribution to their ability to withstand extremes of physical and biological stress (e.g. desiccation, temperature, UV radiation and microbial infection). We present a comparative study on the antioxidant activities of 76 Icelandic and 41 Hawaiian lichen samples assessed emplo...

Lichens are widely used to assess the atmospheric pollution by heavy metals and radionuclides. However, few studies are available in publications on using lichens to qualitatively assess the atmospheric pollution levels. The paper presents research results applying epiphytic lichens as bio-monitors of quantitative atmospheric contamination with uranium. The observations were conducted during 2....

Lichens, a symbiotic relationship between a fungus (mycobiont) and a photosynthetic green algae or cyanobacteria (photobiont), belong to an elite group of survivalist organisms termed resurrection species. When lichens are desiccated, they are photosynthetically inactive, but upon rehydration they can perform photosynthesis within seconds. Desiccation is correlated with both a loss of variable ...