Lichens are marvellous examples of symbiosis, a mutualistic partnership between ascomycete or basidiomycete fungi and green algae (mainly Trebouxia), or less often, blue-green algae (various spp.). The fungal component (mycobiont) absorbs nutrients and provides structural support, while the algal partner (photobiont) produces carbohydrates by photosynthesis. Lichens can be conveniently referred to by their gross structural forms: crustose (flat crusts), foliose (leafy), fruticose (shrubby or filamentous). The term "macrolichen" is applied mainly to non-crustose species having large thalli (i.e. Lobaria, Parmelia). Corticolous lichens colonize tree bark; saxicolous species occupy rocks and boulders; terricolous lichens occur on soil. The reproduction of lichens is achieved in several ways: by vegetative dispersal (thallus fragments, isidia, soredia); sexually (apothecia) or asexually (aplanospores). Although no complete list has yet been compiled, there are approximately 550 different species recorded from the province.

This Document Includes:

Distribution
Corticolous Lichens
Saxicolous Lichens
Terricolous Lichens
Tolerance
Cultural Factors
Indicators

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Additional Keywords:

Associated Topics:

T9.1 Soil-forming Factors
T10.4 Plant Communities in Nova Scotia
T10.6 Trees
T10.8 Bryophytes (Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts)
T10.9 Algae
T10.10 Fungi

Associated Habitats:

H5 Terrestrial Unforested
H6 Forests