Learn what lichens are, how they grow, and why they are important to the environment. Discover lichen types, lifespan, and their role in air quality and ecosystems.
Lichens and pollution Lichens absorb nutrients directly from the environment. So, if there are pollutants such as sulfur dioxide in the air around them, they absorb the pollutants. The pollutants can be toxic to the lichen bodies, and too much of them can kill the lichens.