q.give an account of ecological end economic importance of the lichens?
Answers
Answer:
In lichens, algae supplies food to the fungus. In return, fungus protects algae; provide water, nitrogen substance and mineral salts. - Lichen, especially crustaceous lichens erode rocks and convert them in to soil. ... - Lichen and other chemical substances present in it are also used as medicines
Answer:
In the Tundra regions, lichens are available in abundance. - They also contribute in the formation of soil by enriching it by trapping water, dust and silt. Also, when lichens die they contribute organic matter to the soil, which further improves the quality of the soil so that more plants can grow.
Explanation:
They are a good pollution indicators. They do not grow in polluted areas.
They grow on rocks and release some chemicals that can disintegrate rocks and this results in rock weathering. Hence, they help in soil formation.
They are used as a source of food. For example, Parmelia. Its species are used as curry powder in India.
They are used as a source of medicines. For example, usnic acid which is obtained from Usnea, is an antibiotic used in the treatment of various infections and Cladonia (Reindeer moss) is used in the treatment of whooping cough.
Some lichens such as Pseudorina and Evernia are used in the production of perfume and essential oils.
Litmus which is a dye used as an indicator of acid and base, is obtained from lichens Roccella tinctoria and Lasallia pustulata.
Lichens are composite organisms that are formed as a result of the association of one or two races of fungi (ascomycetes or basidiomycetes) and algae whether green algae or blue green algae (cyanobacteria). The fungal components of lichen are known as mycobiont and that of algae phycobiont. The two components remain mutually in such a way that they make the same thallus and behave like a single organism or we can say that Lichens are complex plants, living in symbiotic relationships with fungus and algae. The dominant partner is the fungus, which gives the lichen the majority of its characteristics, from its thallus shapes to its fruiting bodies.