The Lives of Lichens - (Lives of the Natural World) by Robert Lücking & Toby Spribille (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A richly illustrated guide to lichens and their biology. Existing at the margins of life, lichens are the result of symbiotic relationships between fungi and photosynthesising partners in the form of algae or cyanobacteria. Comprising more than twenty thousand species, lichens are pioneers in diverse ecosystems, colonising virtually any surface and growing at almost any altitude. Found in rainforests, polar regions, deserts, and your backyard, lichens embody a paradox of toughness and sensitivity, surviving trips to space yet endangered by even the slightest environmental changes from industrial pollution here on Earth. Lichens grow everywhere, but only on their own terms: no one has ever fully assembled a lichen in the lab from its component parts. The Lives of Lichens explores all facets of these peculiar organisms, blending stunning macrophotography and graphics with in-depth coverage of profiled species to provide an unforgettable tour of the marvellous world of lichens"--Publisher's description.

Book Synopsis

A richly illustrated guide to lichens and their biology

Existing at the margins of life, lichens are the result of symbiotic relationships between fungi and photosynthesizing partners in the form of algae or cyanobacteria. Comprising more than twenty thousand species, lichens are pioneers in diverse ecosystems, colonizing virtually any surface and growing at almost any altitude. Found in rainforests, polar regions, deserts, and your backyard, lichens embody a paradox of toughness and sensitivity, surviving trips to space yet endangered by even the slightest environmental changes from industrial pollution here on Earth. Lichens grow everywhere, but only on their own terms: no one has ever fully assembled a lichen in the lab from its component parts. The Lives of Lichens explores all facets of these peculiar organisms, blending stunning macrophotography and graphics with in-depth coverage of profiled species to provide an unforgettable tour of the marvelous world of lichens.

• Features a wealth of color illustrations
• Covers symbiosis, biology, architecture, evolution, taxonomy, and much more
• Provides an up-close look at lichens in their ecosystems
• Discusses human relationships with lichens
• Essential reading for nature lovers everywhere

Review Quotes

"Winner of the Award of Excellence in Botany, Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries"

"This well-written and carefully compiled book will be enjoyed by not only beginner or advanced lichenologists and specialists of other organism groups, ecologists, and conservationists but also anyone who is open to the curiosities of nature."-- "Conservation Biology"

"A beautifully photographed book that introduces the world of lichens to the reader. . . . Highly recommended."---J. Cummings, Choice

"Robert Lücking and Tony Spribille have done a first rate job from the first page to the last, presenting impeccable science, infused with tidbits of humour. Furthermore, the book is illustrated with magnificent photographs depicting lichens in all their enigmatic and glorious diversity"---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

About the Author

Robert Lücking is Head of the Department of Evolution and Biodiversity at the Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum of Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, where he presides over collections containing nearly one million lichens, fungi, and bryophytes. Toby Spribille is Canada Research Chair in Symbiosis and Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.