Lichen competition: two-dimensional warfare in slow motion

Richard A. Armstrong

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication or newspaperArticle

Abstract

Lichens, a symbiotic association between a filamentous fungus and an alga, are often dominant in stressful environments such as the surfaces of rock and tree bark. Under these conditions, lichens experience extremes of temperature, moisture supply, and low availability of nutrients. As a consequence, lichens sequester a high proportion of their carbon production for stress resistance rather than for growth. Hence, as a group lichens are particularly slow growing organisms with many species growing at less than 2mm per year and some at less than 0.5mm per year. Whether or not competition occurs between lichen thalli in these communities is controversial. This article discusses the evidence that competition occurs between lichens on rock and tree bark and assesses whether competitive effects are likely to be important in structuring these communities.
Original languageEnglish
Pages27-31
Number of pages5
Volume2008
Specialist publicationMicrobiologist
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2008

Keywords

  • lichens
  • stress resistance
  • competition

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Lichen competition: two-dimensional warfare in slow motion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this