Abstract
Lichens are among the most amazing organisms on our planet. Their very structure is unique: a symbiosis of two organisms-a fungus and algae (or cyanobacteria)-and so perfect that they behave and look like an absolute new being. Lichens occur on different substrates almost everywhere. They play a significant role in desert ecosystems where conditions are too harsh and limited for the life of most other organisms. The Negev desert occupying a significant part of the territory of Israel always was of great interest for lichenological investigations. At present, the lichen biota of the Negev desert includes 81 species of which the most common are saxicolous lichens. The studies of lichen ecology and physiology in the Negev desert showed that the main factor which influences lichen growth and activity in different habitats was water availability.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability in Asia |
| Subtitle of host publication | Volume 1: Prospects and Challenges in West Asia and Caucasus |
| Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
| Pages | 23-37 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9783030599287 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783030599270 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 24 Apr 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Dew
- Lichen diversity
- Negev desert
- Rain
- Temperature
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
- General Environmental Science