An Introduction to Lichen

"What actually is a lichen?" In this film, we learn about the structure and function of lichen, as well as the three main growth forms and how to identify different lichen forms. Lichenologist Joe Hope invites us to have a closer look at the fascinating lichen ecosystem especially the relationship between lichen and algae. He clearly explains some key terms that will help you understand more about the lichens in your local woodland.
A film for woodlands.co.uk by Jemma Cholawo

[@randomsleepyness]

This was amazingly well done. You can see a true passion for lichen.

[@WOODLANDSTV]

Thanks for your support!

[@Tony-Blake]

Thank you for the type of video that Woodlands TV does best = fascinating and educational.

[@royXax]

What a great passionate teacher!

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

A favourite of mine are Lichens 😍 what a fantastic video, top marks Joe!

[@barryt09]

Excellent.

[@Kolajer]

Great channel to geek out on :)

[@michaelpentland1581]

Great video. Information was clear and covered various topics such as anatomy, and roles they play in the ecosystem. Thank you.

[@leannkennedy6568]

Very interesting.

[@bubbashrimp]

awesome overview!!!!! Thank you so much for making this :)

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

Nice one, love these short films 👍

[@KoruXypress]

The music in the beginning is amazing.

[@piuop9622]

Awesome👏👏👍👍. Thank u so much for making such video

[@baz9487]

Thanks for this. Ive only just started to get an interest and this was a helpful vid. Thanks

[@hannajarvenpaa5079]

Thank You💖🧡💛💚💙💜

[@stewartthomas2642]

Cool vid....Love your stuff kick on love it

[@AWildBard]

That was great, Thanks!!!

[@copypaste3526]

I liche it!

[@nigelwylie01]

That was a great introduction, thank you! When the fungus in a lichen reproduces, do the fungus spores contain within them the symbiotic partner, or do they somehow meet up again, and re-combine once the fungus starts growing in a new location? Any recommended reading?

[@animistix]

Great question! So, no the fungal spores disperse independently of the photobiont ... its not very clearly understood how the spores find their partner in the wild ... one idea is that the spores manage to 'steal' photobiont cells from other lichens or lichen propagules. By propagules I mean the vegetative reproduction structures (typically soredia -- powdery bits -- or isidia -- peggy bits) that lichens produce asexually, which will contain parts of both fungus and photobiont. These aren't spores, but they must often be a more reliable form of dispersal, since they are quite widespread throughout the group. My favourite introductory work on lichens is this book by William Purvis books.google.co.uk/books/about/LICHENS_PB.html?id=mAhuQgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y Cheers, Joe

[@nigelwylie01]

animistix wow! That is amazing, and it poses more questions than it answers! Can this fungus survive without its photobiont? What sort of explanations have been given for how such symbiotic relationships began? Can the fungus accidentally pick up a different photibiont? And if so, is it called a different Lichen? Thanks for the book recommendation. I have managed to find a copy and ordered it. Hopefully it will begin to answer some of my questions! You may well have ignited a life-long interest.

[@rogerbuoy8418]

I have a feeling the photobiont cells are dispersed by rain, they probably originated in the sea as all life did and first made it onto land that way. By eroding and consuming rocks, lichens produce a kind of primitive soil that mosses can colonise. When the moss dies it decomposes and enriches the soil further. Lichen are probably the origin of soil itself... what are they for? They're the reason there's life on the land at all!

[@via45]

This was very nice

[@cyclingjoe7663]

Very interesting, how old could a typical lichen be? I’m interested to know how long the types take to grow, and if once picked off they can regrow in the same place? I’ve never picked them, and I wonder if some loss can be attributed to them being picked for souvenirs, hobbies and craft etc.

[@CrocusPocus]

Very good ty.

[@ShadowWizard123]

I have a honeylocust tree in my yard that is absolutely covered in lichen. Every bit of the bark has a thin layer of lichen.

[@jefflingjeffling7817]

Cheers mate.

[@isakfalk-eliasson1675]

Nice video! I would add that lichens have also been very important - and continue to be - as one of the first colonizers of land. Lichen on stone, e.g., eventually generate cracks in the stone, meaning that it breaks it down into nutrients that fall into the soil and may thus be taken up by other lifeforms.

[@alisonhalerich]

What sorts of hand lenses do you recommend? Does the lens include an integrated light source?

[@emilyspencer305]

Thank you woodlands James Corden

[@TITAN0402]

Great video man, it’s not easy describing something that we all don’t completely understand entirely yet. A great ancient use of lichens was extracting dye from them, Tyrian purple was the most sought after colour back in old times. Peace.

[@animistix]

Peace indeed. The collection and processing of cudbear (Ochrolechis sp.) for dyes was a very large industry in 18th and 19th Century Scotland www.scottisharchivesforschools.org/naturalScotland/Cudbear.asp

[@MadDogSurvival]

Very interesting thank you! I know that dry lichen makes a good tinder in winter conditions for fire lightning! ( flash tinder with ferro rod) best wishes 👍🏽👍🏽

[@dshah6839]

Effective

[@tomstenning7553]

I'm sold, could anyone recommend any good books on lichens? Either of the field guide or reference variety.

[@animistix]

My favourite introductory work on lichens is this book by William Purvis books.google.co.uk/books/about/LICHENS_PB.html?id=mAhuQgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y For field guides to the British Isles and Ireland species, check out the latest edition by Frank Dobson.

[@alisonhalerich]

Tom Stenning I’m diving into this one, www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300082495/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, available on Amazon. I’ve already got the companion book, Keys to Lichens of North America by Irwin M. Brodo.

[@blackandwildLLC]

what is that sweet little magnifier called? gotta get me one

[@animistix]

Its called a hand lens or loupe. You want one with LED illumination. Search for LED loupe on ebay.

[@gucciviking]

Love the channel and the content. You should really consider changing your profile picture. It looks a bit dull and outdated.. Keep up with the amazing videos!

[@WOODLANDSTV]

Thanks for this suggestion C O we have taken it!

[@gucciviking]

WoodlandsTV It’s beautiful! I love it :)

[@MrEiht]

I think my pet snail likes to eat lichen. Sticks look oddly clean after a few days...and the snail seems happy.

[@Checkmate777]

I have a Juniper bonsai and live in Northern California. I recently went to Lassen national park and found some lichen all on the trees and ground. I though it would be cool to get some and put it on my bonsai and I’m not sure if it will damage it because I’m not a wiz with these kinda things or even a beginner. I just really don’t want this to murder my bonsai so do you think it would be fine to spread it across the soil. I’ve watched videos and never really gotten a very straight answer and herd some things like it pathogens can infect your soil.

[@Checkmate777]

I believe it was Wolf Lichen

[@raymondleggs5508]

Model train layout trees!

[@cujimmy1366]

Are they edible?. A real eye opener thank you.

[@animistix]

Probably only in a crisis! I'm told that the first nations peoples of NW America used to eat Bryoria (which looks like horesehair). It's not very appetising looking , and I think it was only really eaten in hard times!

[@evanjames575]

God I love lichens

[@lyonowens]

Lichen subscribe!

[@2323guts]

Whats the point of...... lol. Well done

[@happyscrub]

The way he pronounces it, I keep thinking of werewolves lol

[@willalot]

caribou eat lichen, so there is that

[@tastethejace]

Great vid thx