Lichens on Stone Transform Our Understanding of Life and Conservation
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📰 The quick summary: Lichens growing on stone surfaces are transforming our understanding of the relationship between living and non-living elements, helping us reconnect with the natural world by blurring the boundaries between biology and geology.
📈 One key stat: Some lichens colonizing rock and stone can live for up to 11,500 years, demonstrating the remarkable longevity of these complex organisms that bridge the gap between living and non-living worlds.
💬 One key quote: “Lichens highlight stone’s living narrative, bridging biology and geology in relation to the human condition.”
1️⃣ The big picture: Lichens growing on stone surfaces are reshaping how we understand the relationship between living and non-living elements in our environment. These complex organisms, often overlooked in education and daily life, form intimate relationships with the stone they inhabit, effectively transforming what we consider ‘inert’ into something that actively participates in ecological processes. The recent Just Stop Oil protest at Stonehenge sparked public dialogue about lichens and their relationship to stone monuments, bringing attention to these organisms’ ecological and cultural significance. This growing awareness challenges traditional Western perspectives that strictly separate the biological from the geological world.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Lichens demonstrate how the boundaries between living and non-living matter are more fluid than previously understood, opening pathways to more holistic conservation approaches. When stone becomes colonized by lichens, it actively contributes to biodiversity and even supports carbon capture efforts by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. This reframing helps humans develop deeper connections with all elements of our environment, not just visibly living creatures. Artists and writers now explore lichens as powerful metaphors for resilience and interconnection, creating cultural pathways that help society value these symbiotic relationships. Stone surfaces covered with lichens gain ecological value while potentially offering protection against other forms of deterioration.
3️⃣ What’s next: Heritage sites like Blenheim Palace have begun conducting lichen surveys to better understand their role in conservation efforts. Scientists continue to debate and refine how we define lichens, with some proposing they function as complete ecosystems rather than single organisms. Expanding our moral consideration beyond just biological entities to include physical elements like soil and stone will be crucial for developing more comprehensive environmental ethics.
Read the full story here: The Conversation – How lichens are bringing stone to life and reconnecting us with the natural world
