Lichens as Environmental Indicators

What is the biological composition of a lichen?

• A type of fungus

• A type of algae

• A symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria

• A single-celled bacterium

Which of the following places can lichens typically be found?

• Only deep underground

• Exclusively in aquatic environments

• On trees, the ground, rocks, and rooftops

• Inside animal bodies

How do lichens obtain substances from their environment?

• They absorb substances through their root systems.

• They directly absorb all substances from the atmosphere.

• They filter substances from the soil.

• They produce their own substances internally.

What characteristic makes lichens useful as environmental bioindicators?

• Their ability to grow in any environment.

• Their resistance to all types of pollution.

• Their sensitivity to even very low doses of pollutants.

• Their rapid growth rate.

What can be inferred about air quality in areas where a wide variety of lichens are present?

• The air quality is poor.

• The air quality is good.

• The area is highly industrialized.

• Lichens are not affected by air quality.