wildsingapore homepage
wildsingapore homepage
sitemap to the online guide
search | glossary


rocky shore index
  Online Guide to Chek Jawa
rocky shore
 
Lichen
click for enlarged image
 
Lichen often grow where few plants can survive. They are usually tiny and grow very slowly.

Lichen are not plants! Lichens are a symbiotic association between fungi and algae. The fungi contribute protection from drying out, enhances water absorption and provides nutrients. The fungi cannot photosynthesise but the algae can, and it is the algae that provide the partnership with food.

Role in the habitat: Lichens are an important source of food for animals that live in harsh habitats. On the seashore, some grazing snails such as Neritas may eat lichen as well as algae.

Human uses: Lichens are used by traditional people as dyes, ingredients in perfumes and home remedies. Some lichens have proven to have antibiotic properties. Litmus paper, used to test acidity, is a dye made from a lichen! People may also eat lichens, although usually only as a last resort, such as during a famine. Different lichens are sensitive to different levels of pollutants so they can be used as a bio-indicators of pollution of the air and water.
  
 
Links
Lichens of North America: an easy introduction to lichens, their usefulness to the ecosystem and to people. Lots of gorgeous photos.
LichenLand: Fun with Lichens on the British Lichen Society website: a kid's site with easy introduction to lichens, lots of photos, labelled diagrams and explanations.
Fun Facts about Fungi on the University of Michigan Herbarium website: a quick and easy introduction to lichens and their uses.
Lichen Purple on: details on how lichen was made into dyes, including how litmus is made from lichen
Lichens on Kid's Castle on the Smithsonian Magazine website: an easy introduction to lichens
Lichens: Born Survivors of Extreme Environments by William Purvis on the Fathom website: more detailed but still easy introduction with lots of photos.
 

a companion website to the chek jawa guidebook
website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com