Show Lic lichens liens serve both man and beast in many ways geologists botanists say the lowly lichen plays an important part in natures scheme of things reports the new york state college of forestry ordinarily lichens which are found on rocks trees and stumps in many different forms and colors are nothing to get excited about we think of them as some sort of parasitic growth of no particular use and doing little harm but geologists and botanists tell us that lichens serve both man and beast in many ways from the college report writes albert stoll jr in the detroit news we learn that lichens make their own food from water and air and are not detrimental to the plant life to which they become attached they take carbon dioxide from the air in the process of making food and give off of oxygen in fr the same process says the report rt acer certain types cause the disintegration of rock mechanically by invading the smallest crevices splitting off fragments chemically s secreting ecret ing on an acid which acts on the rock thus producing new soil lichens also supply tood tor for many northern animals it U is the prin principal ciPa I 1 food of the reindeer mich igans igana elpe experiment ariment with reindeer conducted about 20 years ago failed principally because we did not pos sess the proper type of lichens for food some types are used in the manufacture of medicines and dyes the base for the litmus test for soils Is a achen that grows along the pacific coast we are told that these plants are extremely sensitive to air pollution and this Is one reason why they are not found near communities where gas smoke and dust permeate the atmosphere but thrive in the clean environment of the woods |