Lichens of Chilean Fog Deserts
Fog regularly bathes the extremely dry slopes near Iquique, Chile, which enables lichens to grow in abundance and diversity where they would normally be absent or scarce. Lichens, symbioses between fungi, algae and/or cyanobacteria, grow on the rocks and soils in this beautiful but harsh landscape. Through a grant from the the National Geographic Society Committee for Research and Exploration, we are studying how the fog influences the lichen ecophysiology, genetic structure and community composition. We are currently starting field work for 2015 so check our blog page for frequent updates.