NHI Speaker Series Presents

Lichens: What They Are and Where They Grow

Lichens are unique organisms. Traditional definitions describe them as a close relationship of fungi (the mycobiont) living with algae (the photobiont). The fungi protect the algae, and the algae use photosynthesis to make food. Recent research highlights that this symbiosis is far more complex than we thought. It turns out that even more organisms may be involved, forming a micro-ecosystem in every lichen.

Even though lichens are biologically fascinating and ecologically important, they are regularly overlooked. People often associate lichens with lush fairy-tale forests of the Pacific Northwest, where these organisms are large, conspicuous, and abundant. But even in hostile desert habitats of the Southwest, lichens are an extraordinarily diverse and very common element of the landscape. The Greater Sonoran Desert Region supports more than a third of all lichen species found on the North American continent.

In this Speaker Series talk by lichen expert Dr. Frank Bungartz, learn about what lichens are, what they look like, where they can be found, and the fundamental role they play in ecosystems. Dr. Bungartz will share his research on lichen diversity and function in the Sonoran regions, Galapagos, and Ecuador.

**The event is free, but space is limited, and registration is required.**

The Eventbrite link will be included in the confirmation email.