Our ecosystem consists of countless organisms. Some of them are not even visible to the naked eye. The flora and fauna of the ecosystem is so diverse that it contains millions of organisms that are part of the ecosystem and participate in the ecosystem.
There is a constant flow of nutrients in the environment, and all these organisms are essential for each other’s health. The ecosystem has its own food and heterotrophs that depend on each other for food Sometimes, however, organisms also coexist in relationships with each other. This relationship can be parasitic, symbiotic or reciprocal in nature.
What are Fungi?
Fungi are independent organisms, grouped in the fungal kingdom. In total, there are 144,000 species. These eukaryotic organisms are closely related to animals and closely related to plants in their character and distribution
Fungi are a diverse kingdom of plants, animals and other organisms. From their appearance to their characteristic behavior, fungi are different from all other organisms. Fungi have nucleated cells and their cell walls contain chitin and cellulose.
Fungi are an important organism in human health. They play an important role as antibiotics in medicines, maintain soil fertility in agriculture, are an important source of food and are the basis of many industries.
What is Lichens?
Lichens are a group of hybrid organisms, found all over the world, growing mainly on tree roots, rocks, walls, ceilings, tombstones, soil, etc. Green algae and fungi have a symbiotic relationship۔
They are found in a clean environment with enough air. to grow Many lichen partners have one photobiont and one mycobiont, which is not universal and there are lichens with more than one photobiont.
Lichens are essential to nature because of their great economic importance. Some species of ants are involved in converting eroded rocks into soil.
They are also very nutritious and used medicinally. Seeds also play an important role in the nitrogen cycle by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere.
Differences Between Fungi and Lichens
| Fungi | Lichens |
| Definition | |
| Are non-chlorophyllous thallophytes. | Composite organisms composed of algal and fungal partners. |
| Thallus | |
| The thallus is mycelia, which is composed of thread-like hyphae. | Thallus organization is a complex type with root-like rhizines and upper, medulla and lower cortex. |
| Mode of Nutrition | |
| Heterotrophs or saprophytes or parasites. | The partners are a special combination, showing mutualism or symbiosis. |
| Special Structures | |
| No such structure is found in fungi. | Presence of special structures like soredia and isidia formed for vegetative reproduction. |
| Habitat | |
| They thrive best in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world which are warm. | They flourish the most in the temperate and colder regions of the globe. |
| Favourable environmental conditions | |
| Prefer dark places, shady, moist and vitiated atmosphere of towns. | Prefer light and air and clean atmosphere of towns. |
| Growth Conditions | |
| Can grow on dead or living on which they feed and demand much moisture. | Can grow on barren substratum under drought and starvation conditions. |
| Plant’s body | |
| Colourless. | Conspicuously coloured due to the presence of various organic acids. |
| Examples | |
| Mould, Mushrooms, yeast, etc. | Iceland moss, beard lichens, dog lichens, oakmoss, etc. |
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