May 23, 2018

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

This is a Wreath Lichen,
Cryptothecia striata, specifically.
Lichens are the product of a symbiotic
Relationship between fungus and algae.

Lichens can be used to monitor
Climate change and pollution
By monitoring the levels of CO2
Which affects lichen distribtion.

(Thanks so much to Jim Stahl for his confirmation on the ID.)

Sources: Elevated CO2 Effects on Lichen Frequencies and Diversity Distributions in Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) Station

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson