What are lichens? Definition, types, characteristics, and functions for the environment

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What are lichens? Definition, types, characteristics, and functions for the environment

The world of flora has a variety of unique and interesting plants, one of which is mosses or bryophytes. This plant can be found in various places, such as rocks, walls, cliffs, and soil. Although often overlooked, lichens actually play an important role for the environment and humans.

According to Mountain Moss, Moss is able to absorb rainwater like a sponge. This ability helps prevent flooding as well as maintain soil moisture, making it a plant that plays a role in ecosystem balance.

Moss also has benefits for the medical world. For example, liverwort(Hepaticopsida) can be used as a medicine for hepatitis C because it contains antiviral compounds. Later, peat moss (Sphagnum) could be used to treat acne, hemorrhoids, and skin diseases.

For more details, let’s see the definition, characteristics, types, and functions of the following moss plants!

Understanding Moss

Bryophytes (bryophytes) are small plants that do not have transport vessels (Xylem and phloem) to drain water and nutrients. In other words, Moss absorbs water directly through the surface of its body. These plants generally live in humid environments, such as rocks, cliffs, walls, tree trunks, and soil.

Mosses are autotrophic, which means they can produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis with the help of sunlight. In contrast to flowering plants, mosses do not produce flowers or seeds. Instead, mosses reproduce using spores.

Although it is more commonly found in damp places, Moss can also grow in less wet environments. This is due to the presence of a waxy cuticle layer that envelops its body, thereby reducing excessive evaporation.

One of the unique things about lichens is their different structure from vascular plants. Lichens do not have true roots, stems and leaves, but rather simple structures that perform similar functions.

Moss Plant Structure

Lichen consists of several main parts, namely:

Rhizoids: rhizoids are root-like structures that serve to attach to a substrate (such as rock or soil) and absorb water, minerals, and nutrients.
Pseudo-stem (caulidium): the caulidium is the erect part that resembles the STEM and to which the pseudo-leaves are attached.
Pseudo-leaves (filidium): filidium is a flat structure resembling leaves that grow on the caulidium and serve as a place for photosynthesis.
Spore capsule: the spore capsule is the capsule-shaped part located at the end of the sporophyte stalk. This structure contains spores that will be released when ripe for the reproduction process.
Sporophyte stalk (seta): the seta is the elongated stalk that connects the sporophyte with the gametophyte. Its function is to lift the spore capsule to make it easier to spread.

Characteristics Of Moss Plants

Lichens have unique characteristics that distinguish them from other plants. These plants belong to The Division Bryophyta in the kingdom Plantae and are known as small plants that do not have transport vessels to drain water and nutrients.

Here are the general characteristics of moss plants:

Not flowering
Has no seeds
Reproduction by spores
Lacks true roots, stems and leaves
The roots are rhizoid-shaped, which serves to attach and absorb water and minerals
Generally have a height of about 0.2-10 cm
Living in humid environments, such as rocks, soil, tree trunks, walls, and cliffs
Are autotrophs, that is, they are able to make their own food through photosynthesis with the help of sunlight

Types of lichens

Generally, lichens are classified into three types, namely liverworts (hepaticopsida), hornworts (anthocerotopsida), and mosses (bryopsida):

1. Lumut hati (hepaticopsida)

Liverwort is a type of Moss in the form of a flat sheet with many grooves, resembling The Shape of a heart. According to Nacademy, liverworts are considered the most primitive type of lichen.

This plant usually grows in humid environments, such as tropical rainforests, as well as on rocks or soil near water sources such as rivers and lakes.

Characteristics Of Liverwort:

Body shape sheet, flat, and lobed
Similar to heart shape
Has a lot of indentation
It has no true stem and leaves, but is talus-shaped
The roots are rhizoids
Reproduce sexually and asexually
Autotrophic
Has an umbrella-shaped reproductive apparatus
Sticks to rocks, soil, and leaves of trees

Some examples of common liverwort species include:

Marchantia sp.
Lunularia sp.
Riccardia chamaedryfolia
Pellia endivifolia
Scapania nemorosa
Jungermannia sp.
Haplomitrium sp.
Monoclea forsterii
Sphaerocarpos texanus

2. Lumut tanduk (anthocerotopsida)

Hornwort got its name because it has an elongated sporophyte resembling a horn. This plant is usually found in damp and shady places, such as rocks, soil, ditches, river banks, or lake shores.

Characteristics of hornwort:

Lacks true stems, leaves and roots
The body is flattened like a leaf or ribbon-shaped (talus)
Sporophytes are elongated in shape resembling horns
The roots are rhizoids
Living in symbiosis with cyanobacteria in its cavity
Reproduce sexually and asexually

Some examples of hornwort species that are often found include:

Phaeoceros laevis
Anthoceros fusiformis
Notothylas valvata

3. Mosses (bryopsida)

Mosses are the largest group of mosses compared to other types of mosses. This type is found in humid environments, such as forests, swamps, and plantations. Mosses can grow on a variety of surfaces, such as soil, rocks, wood, even a little in the water.

Characteristics of mosses:

The roots are rhizoids
The leaves are sheet-shaped
Have cuticles and stomata
Can grow in harsh or disturbed environments
Experiencing a period of dormancy during the long summer
Reproduce sexually and asexually
It has two forms of generation in its life cycle, the gametophyte (dominant phase) and the sporophyte (spore-producing phase)

Some examples of common lichen species include:

Funaria sp.
Polytrichum sp.
Sphagnum sp.

The function of lichens in ecosystems and Human Life

In addition to acting as small plants that decorate rocks or moist soil, mosses also have important functions in ecosystems and human life. Here are some of the main functions of lichens:

1. Maintaining The Balance Of The Ecosystem

Mosses act as pioneers in ecosystems, being the first plants to grow in environments that do not yet have vegetation, such as rocky areas or arid lands. Mosses help form the soil layer by breaking down rocks and retaining moisture, allowing other plants to grow.

2. Absorb and store water

Moss has a sponge-like ability to absorb rainwater. With this property, Moss helps reduce the risk of flooding as well as keeping the surrounding soil moist.

3. Prevent Soil Erosion

With their ability to retain water and cover the soil surface, mosses help prevent erosion caused by wind or rainwater. This is especially important in hilly areas or soil prone to landslides.

4. Provides Habitat for microorganisms

Lichens become a living space for various microorganisms, small insects and invertebrates. Some small animals make it a shelter and a source of food.

5. Role in the carbon and oxygen cycle

As autotrophic plants, mosses perform photosynthesis, which means they absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and produce oxygen (O₂). Thus, lichens help maintain the balance of gases in the atmosphere.

6. Used in medical field

Some types of lichens contain compounds that are beneficial to human health. For example. liverwort (Hepaticopsida) contains antiviral compounds that are used as hepatitis C drugs. While peat moss (Sphagnum) has antiseptic properties that are used in the treatment of wounds, acne, and skin diseases.

7. Used in industry and daily life

Peat moss (Sphagnum) is often used as a growing medium in agriculture and horticulture because it can absorb and store water well. Some mosses also play a role in the manufacture of perfumes and natural coloring materials.

The important role of lichens in ecosystems and life

Mosses may seem like small plants that are often overlooked, but their role in ecosystems and human life is enormous. As pioneer plants, mosses help shape the soil, absorb water, prevent erosion, and provide habitat for a variety of organisms. In addition, Moss also has benefits in the medical, industrial, and agricultural fields.

The presence of mosses contributes to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem as a whole. Therefore, it is important for us to understand and preserve this plant so that its benefits can continue to be felt by future generations. By getting to know more about Moss, we can better appreciate its role in everyday life.

Sources and references:

Yayasan IAR Indonesia