• Why is it necessary to study lichen?

- It is a great indicator of the good health of forests, especially old-growth forests

- It is an indicator of air quality, therefore of atmospheric pollution caused by man.

- It is, with the mushroom, the basis of biodiversity.

- It is a pioneering organization.

- It is an indicator of climate change (geographical displacement of certain species and disappearance of others)

- It is at the center of much research for medicine.

- he is a witness to our history through his formidable longevity.

Some big numbers for this small organization

- 6 to 10% of oxygen production

- 8% coverage of the earth's surface

- 7% of CO2 (carbon dioxide) fixation among terrestrial plants (with mosses)

- 30-80% of N2 (nitrogen) fixation (with mosses)

- 25,000 species in the world (we are only at the beginning)

research)

- 100 new species are discovered each year

- 20% of mushroom species

- 0-7400m alt. (altitudes at which it can still be found)

- 600 million years (first trace of its existence)