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Article: Lichens, mold and spores.
- Article from:
- Science Weekly
- Article date:
- December 12, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Science Weekly, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Background
Lichens are amazing. They live in some of the harshest environments on Earth, including the Arctic, Antarctic, and in deserts. When conditions get too severe even for them, lichens have the ability to go dormant. When favorable temperatures or rainfall return, they begin growing again. Lichens are considered "pioneer species" in some habitats because they are often the first organisms to begin growing on newly exposed rock or dirt surfaces.
Lichens are neither plants nor animals, but living partnerships between algae and fungi. Fungi live in or on other living things or on dead and decaying organic matter. Algae range from single-celled ...