Articles tagged with Lichens
UC Riverside researcher Kerry Knudsen discovered a new species of lichen on Santa Rosa Island, California, and named it Caloplaca obamae in honor of President Obama. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving public lands and studying biodiversity on the island.
Lichens can reveal nitrogen air pollution's impact on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems. Protecting lichens safeguards less sensitive species.
A team of researchers explored sub-Antarctic ecosystems to estimate the diversity of tiny bryophytes and lichens, finding a hotspot for these organisms. The study emphasizes the need for conservation strategies that integrate non-vascular plants beyond charismatic mega fauna.
Researchers found evidence of a 600-million-year-old fungi-algae symbiosis in fossilized specimens from the Doushantuo Formation in South China. The discovery suggests that this symbiotic relationship may have evolved independently on land and in marine environments.
A new study reveals that New England forests are under greater threat from air pollution compared to those in the Southeast region. The research used lichen community composition as an indicator of air pollution and found that nearly one-eighth of the New England area is affected by poorer air quality.
Researchers have developed an antigen-specific ELISA test to diagnose lichen sclerosus by detecting circulating autoantibodies to extracellular matrix protein 1. This breakthrough diagnostic tool has the potential to improve disease management and treatment outcomes.
A study by McMillan and Larson found that rock climbing decreases vegetation diversity on cliffs, with only 4% as many vascular plant species on climbed faces. The researchers also discovered that climbing increases the proportion of non-native plants, which can outcompete native species for resources.
A Johns Hopkins University senior has conducted original research that sheds new light on the identity of a 400-million-year-old organism. By comparing the fossil to modern relatives, the student found that the ancient specimen's chemistry more closely resembles that of lichens than previously thought.
Researchers found that Antarctic plants can repair themselves after exposure to harmful UV radiation, with effective DNA repair mechanisms at low temperatures. However, the team expects a rise in temperature to lead to a shift in vegetation composition, with rapidly growing grasses and mosses replacing lichens.
A team of researchers has developed a new technique using lichens to track recent climate change. By analyzing the size of lichens in different regions, scientists can create a timeline of glacier retreating glaciers in New Zealand. This method could provide valuable insights into global warming and its effects on the environment.