Biologically stated lichens are two species living together as a single organism. This organism survives because of the symbiotic relationship between the alga and the fungus. These two species working together might just be the optimal combination of survival in the history of living organisms!
White crowned sparrow on Xanthoria elegans lichen encrusted rock. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Here’s how the two species work together. The usually larger species-the fungus-utilizes the alga for food produced through photosynthesis. Tall filaments around the perimeter of these lichens act as protection for alga from environmental strains as well as work to trap nutrients and moisture thus increasing life span for the alga. This symbiosis is so successful that this lifespan can reach thousands of years. There are not a lot of moving parts to wear out in this simple organism. Lichens are used to measure geological time of various events in Earth’s history such as glacial retreat.
The beauty of lichens is in the vibrant colors that breathe life into the Arctic and northern regions. These colors stand out especially in winter when they poke through snow covered areas ..usually on rocks sloping off to the water or valleys. Also, when you examine these amazing, diverse organisms up-close with a magnifying glass or a spool lens the true wonder of the structures appear. Alien-like colonies provide a bedazzling look into the lichen world appearing as their own microscopic worlds.
Lichens poking through the winter snow. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Lichens have the unique ability to shut down their metabolisms for periods of time to survive extreme conditions like cold, heat and drought. This ability to regulate and utilize varying amounts of air, light and moisture, lichens can colonize just about anywhere on Earth. One of Churchill, Manitoba’s most prolific lichen species, Xanthoria elegans, survived for over a year and a half attached to the exterior of the International Space Station orbiting the planet in an extreme cold and oxygen deficient climate. These experiments and survivability of the lichen species in space have giving credence to the idea of ‘panspermia’ or the theory of life spreading from of life spreading between planets and even solar systems.
Trays filled with organisms were installed on the outside of the International Space Station to study the affects of space on their life cycle. European Space Agency photo.
Living organisms surviving in open space supports the idea of ‘panspermia’ — life spreading from one planet to another, or even between solar systems.
The viability of lichens surviving in such harsh conditions and particularly the strong power of the Sun for an extended time of 18 months has sparked major interest in cosmetic companies trying to develop sunscreen products.
On Mother’s Day these three photographs of mothers and cubs in Churchill are pretty fitting! Enjoy these wonderful polar bear shots and have an amazing Mother’s Day!
Polar bear sow and cub on the Precambrian shield. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Polar bear sow and cub out near Halfway Point. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Mother and cub on the pond ice in Churchill. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
April is sea-ice melt month in traditionally ice-covered Arctic waters and regions in the north. Since satellite measurements began in 1979, this past April was recorded as the second-lowest level. Data shows that multi-year thicker ice also is declining. Second and third-year ice declined by 30% and 10% respectively. Data was compiled by the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, CO.
Sea-ice coverage has become the harbinger of the global warming issue and often portrayed as evidence that the situation in the Arctic is foreshadowing the coming serious repercussions of carbon emissions and human-caused pollution. The polar bear population in the Hudson Bay region will see direct affects from continued sea-ice melting and earlier thawing. Conservation groups such as World Wildlife Fund and Polar Bears International are working tirelessly to create awareness and action movements to recognize and implement ways to curb carbon emissions and control global warming.
Sleeping bear on the tundra in the CWMA. Brad Josephs photo.
This classic shot of polar bear resting by Natural Habitat guide Brad Josephs is a great end of the week image. Sometimes you just have to put your head down on a rock and take a deep breath!
This view of the trip from The Pas to Churchill on the Hudson Bay Railroad gives a feeling of heading north through uncharted territory to the frontier town of Churchill. The town is accessible only by rail and air since no roads exist over the permafrost. Venturing by train allows one to feel isolated in a way explorers might have felt as they trekked north. I have taken this rail journey many times and it never was the same and always was an exciting feeling to board in Winnipeg and see the transition in topography and environment heading to Churchill. With Churchill’s Arctic summer coming, travelers will be filling the rail cars and heading north to see incredible wildlife of the Churchill region!
Sir John Franklin’s lost ship the Erebus was found this past year in Queen Maude Bay in the high Arctic and some of the ships artifacts have been collected and organized into an exhibit that will be on display at various venues throughout Canada over the next several months. The exhibit is currently open in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and runs through July 5th.
A sneak preview of the Erebus exhibit; Echoes in the Ice – Finding Franklin’s Ship, a display of artifacts from the recent discovery. Kathy Fitzpatrick/CBC photo.
The exhibit mainly contains photos and videos of the discovery of the ship that was lost looking for the Northwest passage in 1845. In the years to come the exhibit surely will grow to contain many additional artifacts raised to the surface after they are carefully documented and mapped underwater. Speculation is abuzz that Churchill’s own “Lady Franklin” stained glass window that currently is displayed in the Anglican church in town might be included. John Franklin’s wife gave this to the 40 groups of searchers who looked for Franklin and his lost expedition over the years. The treasure was moved to Churchill from York Factory in 1967…apparently as lore has it in a barrel of molasses.
Close – up of the Lady Franklin stained glass window. Karen Walker photo.
Fascinating video of the wreck site has been collected this spring when ice still sealed the ocean surface and prevented any disruption of the silt from wave action.
The exhibit moves to Moose Jaw, and runs from July 5 to September 27. Following that time it will open in North Battleford and open in January.
