One can encounter lichen on a barren rock face and over time find fertility in its wake. Foliose lichen expands when wet — attaching itself tightly to the rock — and then contracts when dry, which causes miniscule flakes of the rock to break off. And so begins a process of soil formation.

What does lichen do to soil?

As lichens colonize, they trap dust, which plays a role in soil formation. Lichens contribute to the nitrogen cycle by converting the nitrogen in the air into nitrates that help in their growth and development. Their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen is beneficial to other plant life as well.

What do lichens help create?

Because lichens enable algae to live all over the world in many different climates, they also provide a means to convert carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through photosynthesis into oxygen, which we all need to survive. … Lichens can provide us with valuable information about the environment around us.