Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Parking Fees are charged every day from Saturday, May 25 through to Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. Otherwise, the parking fees are charged only on weekends after Labor Day weekend and before Memorial Day weekend.
Now on to the learning:
Black lichen, often found growing on rocks, has a fascinating symbiotic relationship with its substrate. Lichens are complex organisms formed by the mutualistic association between fungi and photosynthetic partners, usually algae or cyanobacteria. In the case of black lichens, they typically thrive on rocky surfaces where other plants might struggle to survive due to the harsh conditions.
The rocks provide a stable, albeit nutrient-poor, environment for black lichens. These lichens are remarkably resilient and can withstand extreme temperatures, high UV radiation, and desiccation. In turn, the lichens contribute to the rock's weathering process. As they grow, they produce organic acids that break down minerals in the rock, slowly contributing to soil formation and creating a more hospitable environment for other organisms.
This relationship highlights a dynamic interplay: while the rocks offer a harsh yet stable foundation, the lichens slowly transform the rock's surface, contributing to ecological processes and eventually paving the way for more complex life forms.
Questions to answer:
1. What is one example of how rocks help the lichen?
2. What is one example of how lichen helps the rocks?
3. At GZ, try rubbing softly the lichen off. What happens? Is it secure? Is the rock doing its job?
4. Can you see signs of decomposition/weathering from the oils of the lichen on the rock? What can you see? Where?
Afterwards, send me your answers.
Permission has been granted for this cache by the Ward Pound Ridge Manegment.