What are foliose lichens What are foliose lichensSolutionA f

Solution

A foliose lichen is a variety of lichens, that originated from the symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae. TThe algae serves as a photosynthetic source for the lichen.This symbiotic relationship allows the foliose lichen to survive in diverse climatic conditions ranging from cold, dry mountains to wet and warm valleys.Foliose lichen are characterised by flat leafy thallus and the presence of an upper and lower cortex. The photosynthetic cells are present in the correct region while the medulla facilitates gas exchange and is a major composition of lichen\'s thallus.

Lichens are environmentally very important organisms. They are food sources for animals such as deer, goats etc. Birds use lichens for building nests. Moreover they serve as indicator of atmospheric pollution level. There is a direct correlation between pollution and the abundance and distribution of lichen. Foliose lichens for example are very sensitive to sulphur dioxide, which is a by-product of atmospheric pollution. Foliose lichens die in the presence of excess sulphur dioxide. Thereby it indicates the increase in levels of sulphur dioxide in atmosphere.