Question

Give the economic importance of lichens.

Answer 1

Lichens are the symbiotic association of algae and fungi. Economic importance of lichens is as follows:

• They are a good pollution indicators. They do not grow in polluted areas.
• They grow on rocks and release some chemicals that can disintegrate rocks and this results in rock weathering. Hence, they help in soil formation.
• They are used as a source of food. For example, Parmelia. Its species are used as curry powder in India.
• They are used as a source of medicines. For example, usnic acid which is obtained from Usnea, is an antibiotic used in the treatment of various infections and Cladonia (Reindeer moss) is used in the treatment of whooping cough.
• Some lichens such as Pseudorina and Evernia are used in the production of perfume and essential oils.
• Litmus which is a dye used as an indicator of acid and base, is obtained from lichens Roccella tinctoria and Lasallia pustulata.