The morning started with a light-hearted lecture on fungi. Sam Shoemaker, an artist who works with fungi educated us on how he uses this dynamic organism for his art. Even though he graduated with a master’s degree in fine arts, his scientific knowledge of fungi is thorough and extensive. Shoemaker discussed the resilient nature of these organisms. He also gave a brief overview on the relationships other organisms have with fungi. For example, the flying squirrel eats the fatty and nutrient dense part of the truffles. Uninterested in the bitter part of the plant where the spores are located, the squirrel drops the rest of the truffle. Up in the trees, the truffle falls, hitting branches on its way down causing spore clouds to form, spreading as its means of reproduction. I was so intrigued with this relationship that I researched other fascinating fungi relationships with other organisms.

Lichen growing in nature.
Walton, James. “Lichens of the Arctic (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, www.nps.gov/articles/aps-16-1-13.htm.

Lichen are a lifeform made by the symbiotic relationship of fungi and photobiont. Algae and cyanobacteria can both share a symbiotic relationship with fungi but only about 10% of lichens contain cyanobacteria. Lichen are beautifully strange in appearance. They consist of layers. The outermost layer on top is the cortex followed by the algal layer. The middle layer is the medulla, which contains loosely packed fungal filaments. Since the cortex lacks a waxy layer and vascular tissue, in turn lacking the ability to move and conserve water during drought, the medulla’s loosely packed filaments allow for expansion when water does get absorbed. A lower cortex protects the medulla while attaching to the bottom most layer. The bottom most layer will attach to a surface, and can vary, either being a rhizine or a holdfast attachment. These simply hold the lichen in place, but do not help in nutrient absorption or transport.

Not only do fungi and algae interact but the relationship is debated. Some scientists believe the relationship is mutualistic (beneficial to both parties). The fungi are the main part of lichen, and provide protection and water to the photosynthesizing algae. In return, the algae provides food for the lichen. However, other researchers consider this a “controlled parasitism camp”. The fungi in lichen takes carbon fixed by algae and converts it into fungal sugar which is then utilized by the fungi. This in turn makes the algae less productive, negatively affecting the algae.

Layers of lichen showing the cortex, algal zone, medulla, lower cortex, and rhizines.
“Lichens | Microbiology.” Courses.lumenlearning.com, courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-microbiology/chapter/lichens/.

Lichen plays a crucial part in ecosystems. In primary succession, when all life is destroyed in an area leaving nothing, lichen are often the first colonizers of the land. They set the stage for the next set of organisms like grasses and small animals to start inhabiting the area. Lichen allows for the regrowth of entire ecosystems. Not only are lichens fascinatingly complex and spirited, they exhibit strength and vitality. The significant role of fungi is demonstrated by its resilience, but it also shows the need of the fungi for healthy soil.

Fungi plays a vital role in the ecosystem, underpinning the growth and survival of plants. Yet they are often underappreciated in the science and research community compared to other plants. This idea goes back to one of Sam Shoemaker's main points: that there is inadequate funding necessary to learn more about this amazing organism and its potential to make technological breakthroughs in areas of environmental sustainability and architecture.

SPECTRUM

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