Fungus and Lichens Essay Example

habitats including forest understoreys, tree leaves and bark, sand deserts, and even living organisms like weevils, mollusks, and tortoises. The distribution of lichens is affected by factors such as temperature, rainfall, pH levels in the environment, substrate texture, sunlight intensity, and the variety of plant life existing in their habitat.

Moreover, lichens increase their range of species by inhabiting a small environment within a larger one. An important factor is the presence of pollution in the habitat where lichens reside. Lichens have a high capacity for absorbing harmful substances that impede their growth. Therefore, it can be concluded that the lack of lichen populations indicates pollution because lichens thrive abundantly. Furthermore, lichens perform essential ecological functions within their ecosystem.

The presence of lichens can lead to the development of biological soil crust, which resembles carpets and plays a role in preventing soil erosion caused by rain and wind. These crusts absorb the impact of heavy precipitation, which could otherwise wash away the top layer of soil. Additionally, they create an uneven and coarse soil surface, forming depressions that capture and slow down the flow of water. As a result, water is given more time to penetrate the underlying soil. Moreover, biological crusts also provide habitats for smaller organisms.