Lichens
( UPSC Prelims)
News Context
Research has shown that certain lichen species can endure and stay metabolically active under conditions similar to those on Mars. These species are distributed across 8% of the Earth's land surface, thriving in some of the most extreme environments, such as Antarctica and tropical deserts. India is home to over 2,700 species, with a significant presence in the Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and Northeast India. The country's first Lichen Park was established in 2020 in Munsiyari, Uttarakhand.
Lichens are characterized by a symbiotic association between a fungus (mycobiont) and an alga or cyanobacterium (photobiont). They serve as bioindicators of air pollution, particularly for sulfur dioxide (SO) and heavy metals. As pioneer species, they are among the first colonizers in ecological succession and play a crucial role in soil formation.