Lichens are symbiotic consortia, typically between a filamentous fungus (mycobiont) and one or more photosynthetic partners (photobionts), usually green algae or cyanobacteria, forming a self-sustaining thallus distinct from the individual partners. They exhibit highly integrated physiology, including coordinated nutrient exchange, specialized morphological structures (e.g., cortex, medulla, photobiont layer), and stress-tolerance mechanisms that enable colonization of nutrient-poor or extreme habitats. Lichens are key topics in studies of symbiosis, bioindication, and ecosystem functioning, where they serve as sensitive indicators of air quality, primary colonizers in succession, and contributors to biogeochemical cycling, especially nitrogen and carbon dynamics.
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