Hidden and often unnoticed forest treasure - Lichens

At the last Forest Therapy Walk , Lichens caught my attention. We can see many of them on a forest walk when we stop and observe the surroundings. I also use them for prints in the clay products that are part of my forest bath. The last project was art with Moss and Lichens. In Bohinj forests you can find all sorts of inspiring material for such projects.

We often ignore them, but they are very interesting “creatures”. Organisms built from fungi and algae that live in symbiosis. Having no real roots, they get their food from the atmosphere, rainwater trees and forest ground. They are incredible organisms and no two are alike. They live in a complex life form that is a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms, a fungus and an alga. The dominant partner is the fungus, which gives the lichen the body shape.

There are about 17.000 – 20.000 species and they can thrive everywhere. Some of them need unpolluted/clean air for their growth. This is precisely why they are also called bioindicators of polluted air. It is estimated that 6–8% of Earth’s land surface is covered by lichens.

Crusty lichens

They grow on the substrate, or have even grown into it. This means that the insole is less exposed to the air and is unbranched. This type is the least sensitive to polluted air.

Leafy lichens

They are a mix between crusted and bushy lichens. They often grow on surfaces like rocks, trees or soil. They can be found in different environments, from forests to arctic tundras. They are moderately sensitive to polluted air.

Bushy lichens

They are attached to the base with special plates. Their thallus is the most developed and has the largest part of the plant in contact with the air. They are most sensitive to polluted air and they usually grow in forests in Alpine regions and they grow very slowly, often just few millimetres per year. They can dry out and start to grow again when the conditions are ok. They are ancient organisms, which means that they have been living on earth for a very long time. Some fossils with lichens where found and they date back to dinosaurs time. I wonder what stories would they tell us, if they would have the option to speak:)

Lichens provide conditions for other plants to settle there. Even hard rock can be cracked with water and frost, even concrete. The best bioindicators are bushy lichens that grow only in areas that are not polluted. In polar regions, lichens are the main source of food for reindeer. The thallus of some types contain antibiotics, which are used to treat infectious diseases. Sometimes dyes and fragrances were also made from them and in ancient Egypt, they were used for mummification. Lichens can survive in hard conditions, including extreme temperatures, hight altitude and low nutrient environments.

They are used in deodorant, toothpaste, extracts, and perfumes. In Japan, they use lichens in paint for its anti-mildew properties. Lichens are ecologically important as food, shelter and nesting material for wildlife. Deer, elk, mountain goats, various squirrels, mice, and bats eat lichens or use them for insulation or in nest building.

Next time you will go for a walk in the forest or just outside your home in the garden pay attention to the little things on your way, details, leafs, textures and I’m sure you will discover a whole new dimensions of the forest. Your body and mind will be grateful, you will feel energised, at peace, focused and maybe answers to some questions will appear with help of the forest.