Question

Mosses and Lichens are found in ________.
A.Desert vegetation
B.Tropical Vegetation
C.Tundra Vegetation
D.None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Moss and lichens are simple organisms that grow on trees and rocks. Lichens break down rocks into the soil and later mosses and other shrubs grow on them.

Complete Step by Step Answer:Mosses and lichens both are simple organisms and are considered to be non-vascular plants, out of which only mosses are plants and not lichens. Lichens are formed by a symbiotic relationship between algae or cyanobacteria and a fungus.
Mosses have leaves and stems but do not have roots because of which they cannot transport water and do not produce flowers. They absorb nutrients and water from their immediate environments. It is a flowerless plant mostly found in wet, damp and shady locations. Mosses can monitor urban pollution and respond to pollution by changing its density and shape. It can be used as a bio-indicator to measure the impact of atmospheric change, which further helps scientists to calculate air pollution and atmospheric alterations.
Lichen is usually mistaken for mosses but lacks leaves and stems of the moss. They are divided into four groups based on their appearance and grow slowly. The four types of lichen are crustose, foliose, fruticose and squamulose. They do not need soil to grow and can grow on rocks.
Mosses and lichens are mostly found in tundra vegetation. The climatic condition of tundra, which does not exceed 10˚C in the summer season, makes it difficult for plants to survive, thus lichens are of great importance. Reindeers of the Arctic tundra region depend on lichens for their survival. During the winter season, lichens are the main source of food for these animals.
Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Lichens and mosses do not grow in carbon dioxide polluted areas. In addition, lichens are sensitive to sulphur dioxide pollution as their growth is inhibited because of its absence.