• Engineering and Architecture
  • Management and Business Administration
  • Medicine and Allied Sciences
  • Law
  • Animation and Design
  • Media, Mass Communication and Journalism
  • Finance & Accounts
  • Computer Application and IT
  • Pharmacy
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Competition
  • School
  • Study Abroad
  • Arts, Commerce & Sciences
  • Learn
  • Online Courses and Certifications
Economic Importance Of Lichens: Structure, Reproduction

Economic Importance Of Lichens: Structure, Reproduction

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 06:03 PM IST

Lichens have a symbiotic relationship with fungi and algae or cyanobacteria and hold significant economic importance in various industries. They can survive in harsh environments making them valuable bioindicators for monitoring air quality and environmental health. Apart from this Lichens have a long history of use in traditional medicine, providing compounds with potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Being part of the chapter Environmental Issues class 12th Biology it becomes one of the topics from where questions are expected in examinations.

This Story also Contains
  1. What are Lichens?
  2. Importance of Lichens
  3. Diversity And Distribution Of Lichens
Economic Importance Of Lichens: Structure, Reproduction
Economic Importance Of Lichens: Structure, Reproduction

What are Lichens?

Lichens are defined as heterotrophic mycobionts and photoautotrophic photobionts in a mutually beneficial association. Variety in shapes and colours is also added in lichens; these are found growing even in the harshest conditions as in arctic tundras and even deserts.

They have environmental functions including the indicators of air quality, toilers in the soil building process, and food providers and shelter providers to many species.

Importance of Lichens

Thus, lichens are useful in industries providing products needed for the satisfaction of various human needs. These include:

Lichen-Derived Product

Explanation

Dyes and Pigments

Lichens have been used as natural colourants in cloth, cosmetics, and paintings, offering hues like red, violet, and yellow.

Medicines

Secondary metabolites from lichens show antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, being explored for drug development.

Perfumes and Fragrances

Essential oils from lichens, such as oakmoss and tree moss, are used in perfumes as fixatives and to provide earthy, woody undertones.

Nutritional Supplements

Lichens are being investigated for their potential as sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, offering functional and sustainable food options.

Biological Indicators

Lichens are sensitive to pollutants, making them valuable bioindicators for assessing environmental health and air quality.

Also Read

Role of Lichens in Nutrient Cycling

  • There is evidence that lichen plays a very important role in nutrient cycling.

  • Through this process, they contribute through biological weathering by breaking the rocks into the soil and then releasing friendly minerals.

  • Further, lichens still play a still important role since they can fix atmospheric nitrogen, which contributes to the enhancement of soil fertility and plant production, particularly in regions where nutrient scarcity is characteristic.

Economic Uses of Lichens

The economic uses of lichens are listed below

  • Lichens are currently used in the production of antibiotics and antiviral medication due to the fact many fight bacterial and viral infections

  • Some of the compounds obtained from lichens are being studied to be used in treatments for bacterial and viral infections and diseases.

  • Traditional treatments that incorporate lichens are as old as anyone’s memory.

  • Lichens prepared by indigenous communities proved useful in the treatment of cuts, breathing difficulties, and stomach ailments.

  • It is this difference in the aspect of bioactive compounds that remain contemporary inputs to modern medicinal research and practice.

NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
Know Most Scoring Concepts in NEET 2024 Based on Previous Year Analysis.
Know More

Biological Indicators in Pollution Monitoring

  • Many lichens are applied as biotickers since they are affected by changes in air quality, specifically SO2 and heavy metals.

  • The health and observation of lichens enjoy important statistical data on air health and pollution which will contribute to ecological investigations and legal actions.

Food And Nutrition

Historical and cultural uses as emergency food and some of them are listed below:

  • Lichens have been employed particularly as famine foods by different societies/tribes in the past especially when regular foods were inaccessible for one reason or the other.

  • For example, Eskimos rely on Iceland moss, Cetraria islandica that after proper preparation free carbohydrates essential to them in the time of famine.

Diversity And Distribution Of Lichens

  • Lichens also reveal very high levels of anatomical variation, currently estimated to lead to over 20,000 species which in terms of form, colour and size differ significantly.

  • They can be classified into three main types: of which three classes can be distinguished: crustose (crusty), foliose (leafy), and fruticose (shrubby).

  • This diversity is the reason they can exist in different environments.

Factors Influencing Lichen Distribution

  • This paper intends to discuss the effects of climate, substrate, quality of air, and the quality of light on the lichen.

  • They are dependent on changes in the environment, particularly air pollution, thus making them useful in bioindication.

  • Proper substrates such as stones, soil or trees are also important in the growth of these plants.

Also Read:


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are lichens used for in industry?

Lichens are utilised in industries for dyes, both earthy colours and bright ones and in fragrances and cosmetics for scent-producing chemicals. They also help in air pollution monitoring since they are sensitive to variations in environmental factors; air included. 

2. Are lichens edible?

There are records that in emergency lichens serve as the source of food – however, this should be done only with great precaution as some lichens contain certain toxins that can become deadly when ingested; in this regard, the identification of which type can be consumed and how it should be prepared are crucial. 

3. How do lichens contribute to environmental health?

Lichens are air pollution-sensitive biomonitors, being affected by factors such as sulfur dioxide and heavy metals. The people’s health being in check assists in ascertaining the degree of pollution within the environment to assist in the management and formulation of policies. 

4. Do lichens have medicinal properties?

Bioactive compounds in the lichens have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory use in traditional and possible pharmaceutical usage. 

5. What is the ecological role of lichens?

Using minerals, lichens play an important role in helping recycle nutrients: decomposing rocks and fixing nitrogen in the atmosphere that is vital in the formation of soil and support of other life forms mainly insects and small animals that feed on it.

6. How do lichens adapt to survive in extreme environments?
Lichens have several adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme environments:
7. How do lichens contribute to biodiversity?
Lichens contribute to biodiversity in several ways:
8. What are the main growth forms of lichens?
Lichens exhibit three main growth forms:
9. How do lichens reproduce?
Lichens can reproduce both sexually and asexually:
10. How do lichens help in dating geological events?
Lichens are used in a technique called lichenometry to date exposed rock surfaces. This method is based on the slow and consistent growth rate of certain lichen species. By measuring the size of the largest lichen on a rock surface, scientists can estimate how long the surface has been exposed. This technique is particularly useful for dating glacial retreats, landslides, and archaeological sites.
11. How do lichens contribute to soil formation?
Lichens play a crucial role in soil formation by breaking down rocks through physical and chemical weathering. They secrete acids that dissolve minerals and their growth can physically break apart rock surfaces. As lichens die and decompose, they contribute organic matter to the developing soil, creating a foundation for other plants to grow.
12. Why are lichens considered pioneer organisms?
Lichens are considered pioneer organisms because they are often the first life forms to colonize bare rock surfaces or disturbed areas. Their ability to survive in harsh environments and contribute to soil formation makes them essential in initiating ecological succession, paving the way for other organisms to establish themselves.
13. What is the economic importance of lichens in the perfume industry?
Some lichen species, particularly those in the genus Evernia, are used in the perfume industry as fixatives. These lichens produce compounds that help stabilize and enhance the scent of perfumes, making the fragrance last longer. The most commonly used lichen in perfumery is oakmoss (Evernia prunastri), which provides a woody, earthy scent.
14. What role do lichens play in air quality monitoring?
Lichens are excellent bioindicators of air quality because they are sensitive to air pollution, particularly sulfur dioxide. They absorb nutrients and pollutants directly from the air, and their presence or absence can indicate the level of air pollution in an area. Scientists use lichen surveys to monitor long-term changes in air quality and ecosystem health.
15. How are lichens used as natural dyes?
Lichens have been used for centuries as a source of natural dyes. Different species produce various colors, ranging from yellows and oranges to purples and browns. The dyes are extracted by boiling the lichen in water or fermenting it with ammonia. Lichen dyes are known for their light-fastness and ability to produce vibrant colors on natural fibers like wool and silk.
16. What are lichens and how are they unique in the biological world?
Lichens are composite organisms resulting from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium. They are unique because they represent a mutualistic partnership where both organisms benefit: the fungus provides structure and protection, while the alga or cyanobacterium produces food through photosynthesis.
17. What is the structure of a typical lichen?
A typical lichen has a layered structure:
18. How do lichens obtain nutrients?
Lichens obtain nutrients through several mechanisms:
19. How do lichens defend themselves against predators and pathogens?
Lichens have several defense mechanisms:
20. What role do lichens play in nitrogen fixation?
Some lichens, particularly those with cyanobacterial partners, play a significant role in nitrogen fixation:
21. What is the significance of lichens in traditional medicine?
Lichens have been used in traditional medicine across various cultures for centuries. Some species are believed to have antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, Usnea species have been used to treat wounds and respiratory infections. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness and safety of many traditional lichen remedies have not been scientifically verified.
22. What is the economic importance of lichens in the food industry?
While not widely used in modern cuisine, some lichen species have economic importance in the food industry:
23. How do lichens impact the pharmaceutical industry?
Lichens have potential in the pharmaceutical industry due to their unique secondary metabolites:
24. What is the significance of lichens in biogeochemical cycling?
Lichens play important roles in biogeochemical cycling:
25. How do lichens contribute to erosion control?
Lichens contribute to erosion control in several ways:
26. What is the economic importance of lichens in the cosmetics industry?
Lichens have several applications in the cosmetics industry:
27. How do lichens interact with other organisms in their ecosystem?
Lichens have various interactions with other organisms:
28. What is the importance of lichens in polar ecosystems?
Lichens are crucial in polar ecosystems:
29. How do lichens adapt to different light conditions?
Lichens have several adaptations to varying light conditions:
30. What is the role of lichens in forest ecosystems?
In forest ecosystems, lichens play several important roles:
31. How do lichens impact the construction industry?
Lichens can have both positive and negative impacts on construction:
32. What is the significance of lichens in evolution studies?
Lichens are significant in evolution studies for several reasons:
33. How do lichens contribute to the study of climate change?
Lichens are valuable in climate change studies:
34. What is the economic importance of lichens in bioremediation?
Lichens have potential in bioremediation:
35. How do lichens impact agriculture and horticulture?
Lichens have various impacts on agriculture and horticulture:
36. What is the importance of lichens in archaeological studies?
Lichens are valuable in archaeology:
37. How do lichens contribute to the study of pollution and environmental health?
Lichens are excellent bioindicators of pollution and environmental health:
38. What is the role of lichens in soil crust formation?
Lichens play a crucial role in soil crust formation, especially in arid and semi-arid regions:
39. How do lichens interact with mosses and other non-vascular plants?
Lichens often interact closely with mosses and other non-vascular plants:

Also Read

Virus Definition

02 Jul'25 07:39 PM

Differences between Lichens and Mycorrhizae: Definition, Differences, and Functions

02 Jul'25 06:06 PM

History of Virus: Overview, Origin and Hypothesis

02 Jul'25 06:04 PM

Virus: Types, Characteristics, Facts, Topics, Structure

02 Jul'25 06:04 PM

Nomenclature and Classification of Virus: Definition, History, Structure, Classification

02 Jul'25 06:04 PM

Plantae, Animalia And Viruses: Overview, Genetic Material, Concepts

02 Jul'25 06:03 PM

Mycorrhizae: An Overview

02 Jul'25 06:03 PM

Economic Importance Of Lichens: Structure, Reproduction

02 Jul'25 06:03 PM

Fungi Life Cycle: Introduction, Life Cycle, FAQs

02 Jul'25 06:03 PM

Kingdom Fungi- Structure, Characteristics, Classification, Classifications, Concepts

02 Jul'25 06:03 PM

Articles

Back to top