Nature Positive Practices

Lichen are neither fungi nor plants - they're both! Ubiquitously adorning rocks, trees, and soils on every continent, lichen is not an organism in itself – it's actually two organisms living as one. This unique partnership between fungi and algae (or cyanobacteria) is a profound example of interconnectedness and interdependence in nature. Sometimes called an "obligate mutualism," lichen only exist through this relationship where each relies on the other for survival, while providing critical support to each other. The fungus provides a supply vital minerals, structure, and protection, ensuring that algae don't dry out in terrestrial environments. The algae or cyanobacteria use photosynthesis to make the food that they both need. When these two come together as a unit, they live in places where the individual parts alone could not, and provide important ecosystem services such as binding and building soil and fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Together, they form a remarkable demonstration of symbiosis where each party serves the other and contributes to the wellbeing of the ecosystem as a whole. Click here to learn more about the lichen symbiosis!

Nature Positive Practice: Interconnected And Interdependent

The partnership between the fungi and algae goes beyond mutual benefit; they are utterly interdependent. At one level, this lesson can be easily applied - Nature Positive Leaders are inclined to seek out partnerships in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. At a deeper level, however, the lichen offers an opportunity for profound reflection. A prerequisite to interdependence is vulnerability. Do we have the courage to acknowledge where we are unable or less equipped to perform an essential function, and actually need others? Do we have the conviction to declare our unique strengths and assets? Are we willing to give and receive freely, entrusting others with our well-being while upholding our end of the partnership?

Consider your system. Where do you see an opportunity to develop or deepen a partnership to the level of lichen? What would that require of you?