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How are lichens able to survive in places that most other organisms are unable to live such as on mountaintops and in barren deserts?
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Why are lichens so unusual?
Lichens are unusual because they are made of two organisms, fungus and a green algae.
What term is used to describe organisms that can survive in severe conditions?
The term used to describe organisms that can survive in severe conditions is extremophiles. Extremophiles are able to thrive in environments with extreme temperatures, pH levels, salinity, pressure, or other challenging conditions that are typically uninhabitable for most forms of life. Examples of extremophiles include bacteria living in hot springs, organisms in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and lichens in arid deserts.
What are properties of lichens?
Lichens grow extremely slowly. Lichens are able to survive extreme conditions.
What are the pioneer organisms on a bare rock?
Either lichens,legumes,grasses,or hemlock trees
How can lichens survive in habitats so seemingly devoid of nutrients and under harsh physical condition?
Lichens are one of the first organisms to colonise a newly disturbed area and are a part of the first stage in plant succession. Like mosses lichens have a number of adaptations which allow them to survive seemingly nutrient free habitats. Lichens, unlike vascular plants can grow with very little nutrients. There are enough nutrients carried in rain water and dust to allow lichens to grow on rock faces etc.
What do lichens need to survive?
heat coldness and drought
What is function of lichens?
There are several main functions of lichens. The very important main function of lichens is that they provide a mode of survival in very harsh environments where algae can't survive.
What is the function of lichens?
There are several main functions of lichens. The very important main function of lichens is that they provide a mode of survival in very harsh environments where algae can't survive.
Could any organism on earth survive in one of the earth's deserts?
There are thousands of species - plants and animals - that have survived for thousands of years in the deserts.
Can a bear survive in the desert?
Yes, bears do live and survive in deserts but generally prefer the mountain regions of deserts.
What are the properties of lichens?
Lichens are like fungi because they can keep from drying out, have protective walls, and absorb nutrients from the air. They are like algae in that they are producers and can use photosynthesis.
Why is a lichen most likely to be a pioneer species?
lichens are called pioneer organisms because they are the first type of organisms that started to live in a certain forest or such. For example, If a volcanic island were to appear in the middle of the ocean. It is devoid of life at first. Certain organisms will land on the island either by washing up on the volcanic ash or land on it after being carried by the wind currents. One of these organisms would be a lichen. Lichens are considered pioneer because they will begin to destroy the rock and ash producing soil. They can survive because a lichen is a mutualistic relationship between a fungus and an algae. Once these lichens have done their work other organisms will appear, bacteria, algae, various grasses, etc. This is called ecological succession.
