LICHEN [COMPOSITE ORGANISMS]

Lichen are a composite organism composed of algae and cyanobacteria living mutualistically with fungi.
The fungus determines the shape of the lichen thallus and fruiting body (either crustose, foliose, or fruticose).











The bacterial communities at the centre of the lichen’s thallus—initially beneficial to the foundation fungus—may become harmful as the lichen grows older and moves out into a changing environment. The fungus may choose then to kill off or abandon it's center, forming new bacterial communities at it's edges in order to benefit the composite organism as a while.






When we recognize that our institutions are no longer working, what collective actions do we take?


What is at the center of our institutions?


How might lichen model for us a way of re-composing our inherited structures?

 








A Google Earth Map has been created to guide visitors to the various lichen sites around Joseph S. Stauffer Library, Queen’s University, 101 Union St, Kingston, ON K7L 2N9. The map will continue to change and grow over the course of the project.

If you visit these sites in-person, please do so respectfully and do not disturb, damage or remove the lichen. 


Click the lichen to view the Google Earth Lichen Map on desktop.