Coastal Lichens

Abstract

Lichens are a symbiotic complex of autotrophic (algae, Cyanobacteria) and heterotrophic (fungi) components that have developed during evolution in coastal ecosystems in the process of adaptation of algae and fungi to terrestrial habitats. Lichens are highly adapted to extreme habitats including the littoral (or intertidal) zones of coasts. In this chapter, we present developmental stages of aquatic lichen investigations: freshwater and marine lichens. The issues of species diversity of coastal lichens, their ecology, and adaptations to the coastal marine environment are described. The leading factors affected the epilithic lichen cover of coasts, and freshwater habitats are at a distance from the waterline and substrate characteristics. Substrate characteristics, especially near the waterline, depend on the wave rhythm. On the coasts of freshwater bodies, four zones are recognized based on flooding duration and lichen ecology. Lichen zones of fresh and marine coasts are distinguished by their species composition: on sea coasts halophytes are predominant and on freshwater shoreshydrophilic lichens. Marker species of lichens were identified for each zone. For the littoral zone, the intrazonal structure of lichen flora was shown. In the adaptation of symbiotic organisms, such as lichens, both symbionts take part: mycobiont and photobiont. Morphological and structural adaptations are mainly associated with mycobiont variability: the presence

Lichen zonation on UK rocky seashores: a trait-based approach to delineating marine and maritime lichens

“…It is worth noting that the zeorine apothecia of the two Lichina species are similarly enclosed within a thalline exciple. This characteristic may have adaptive significance in marine environments, since developing ascospores within enclosed fruiting bodies have less chance of encountering surrounding water during tidal cycles and splashing, leading to a higher chance of survival relative to those of more open ascomata such as lecanorine apothecia (Aptroot & Seaward 2003; Sonina & Androsova 2020). This implies a sub-aerial rather than sub-aquatic mode of dispersal in marine lichens and further research into the timing of ascospore discharge and the viability of ascospores will be important in establishing the influence of sea water on reproduction in lichenized fungi.…”

“…Despite this established understanding of lichen zonation, with its clear relevance to coastal ecology, remarkably little is known about the adaptations of marine and maritime lichens that contribute to this distinct niche differentiation (Sonina & Androsova 2020). In recent years, the use of lichen functional traits has emerged as a powerful tool to investigate the response of species and species assemblages to environmental variables (Ellis et al 2021).…”

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Marine Cyanolichen Lichina pygmaea Volatile Compounds

“…Lichens, as symbiotic complex of autotrophic (microalgae, cyanobacteria) and heterotrophic (fungi), are highly adapted to extreme habitats comprising the coastal zones [ 1 ]. Indeed, marine lichens are exposed to an exceptionally range of pressures, due to daily tidal cycles that terrestrial lichens cannot resist [ 2 ].…”

“…Indeed, marine lichens are exposed to an exceptionally range of pressures, due to daily tidal cycles that terrestrial lichens cannot resist [ 2 ]. The lichens growing on littoral and supralittoral zones differ in their resistance to the duration of exposure to salt water and are clearly distinguished taxonomically [ 1 ]. Some studies determined lichen zones without connecting them to tidal cycles [ 3 ], and others highlighted the significance of tidal periodicity [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”