lichen
Fungus-algae partnership
Lichen is a composite organism formed by fungi living in symbiosis with algae or bacteria.
Lichens grow as crusty, leafy, or branching patches on rocks, tree bark, and other surfaces, often in harsh environments where little else survives.
They grow slowly and are sensitive to air pollution, making them useful indicators of environmental quality.
The old stone wall was covered in gray-green lichen.
Undifferentiated vegetative body
Following in order
- bioindicatorSpecies showing ecosystem health
- colonizerOne who occupies foreign land
- microhabitatSmall distinct living area
- biodiversityRange of life forms
Solid earthen material
- barkSharp canine vocalization
- treeWoody perennial plant
- boulderLarge weathered stone
- cliffVertical rock wall
tombstone · outcrop · substrate · epiphytic · tundra · alpine · old-growth · exposed
Pigment for changing hues
Finest taxonomic rank
Able to endure difficulty
- extremophileLife in harsh conditions
- drought-resistantAble to withstand aridity
- slow-growingDeveloping at leisurely pace
- long-livedHaving extended lifespan
dormancy · UV-resistant · tenacious · persistent · survivor · ancient · enduring
Primitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
Of frozen rivers
- moraineGlacier-deposited debris pile
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- archaeologicalOf studying ancient remains
thallus
Undifferentiated vegetative body
succession
Following in order
- bioindicatorSpecies showing ecosystem health
- colonizerOne who occupies foreign land
- microhabitatSmall distinct living area
biodiversity · decomposition · ecosystem · weathering · crust
rock
Solid earthen material
cliff · tombstone · outcrop · substrate · epiphytic · tundra · alpine · old-growth · exposed · weathered
dye
Pigment for changing hues
species
Finest taxonomic rank
hardy
Able to endure difficulty
- extremophileLife in harsh conditions
- drought-resistantAble to withstand aridity
- slow-growingDeveloping at leisurely pace
long-lived · dormancy · UV-resistant · tenacious · persistent · survivor · ancient · enduring
algae
Primitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- partnershipShared business arrangement
interdependence · cyanobacteria · symbiont · photosynthesis · cooperation
glacial
Of frozen rivers
- moraineGlacier-deposited debris pile
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- Tundra featurespermafrost, frost heave, patterned ground, tussock, muskeg
- living thingsplants, animals, animal, creature, birds
- forest lifesquirrel, fox, rabbit, owl, woodpecker
- forest ecosystemtrees, shrubs, bark, fungi, mushrooms
- forest elementsjunipers, juniper berries, bark, trunk, sap
- forest featurespine trees, redwoods, old-growth forest, oak trees, sequoias
lichenbamboo
Tall woody grass
kudzu · algal bloom · bacteria · weeds · mold
lichencockroaches
Hardy household insect pests
rats · pigeons · invasive species · E. coli
- lichen sclerosusInflammatory skin thinning disease