Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae. They are well adapted to survive in harsh conditions. One of the many places they can be found is the Namibian Desert. Fog in the coastal parts of the desert provides the necessary moisture for the organisms' survival. In the Namib they grow on shrubs, rocks and pebbles of the gravel plains. These small organisms can densely cover large areas, forming lichen fields.
Contents
The desert hosts 120 lichen species. Most of them are rare and a significant number of them occur only there. "Many are endemic to this region and others show affinities between the Namib lichen biota and other fog deserts of the world, such as the Antacama in South America and Baja California in Mexico and California".
Ecological functions
Threats
Lichen vegetation is very vulnerable to pollution and mechanical damage. Lichen fields in the Namib are at risk from off-road driving and mining.
However, the Wlotzkasbaken lichen field north of Swakopmund was considered for protection after an Environmental Impact Assessment was done before the development of a desalination plant serving Trekopje uranium mine. Fourteen kilometers of fencing was erected around the northeastern side of the field to protect them from damage caused by vehicles taking shortcuts through the desert. Signs were set up by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to announce the site location and vulnerability, including several colorful information boards on lichens. The mine also put up an information stand.