Diversity of Iowa Lichen

This video features images of a variety of lichen species found in various environments in the state of Iowa. Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. 

• What kind of a relationship exists between the two parts of the lichen? How do you know?

• What is the role of each organism that makes up the lichen? 
• How can something be two organisms at once? 
• What are other examples of this kind of relationship among organisms? 
• What are examples of other types of relationships among organisms?

Students could:

• Individually record their observations/descriptions of the lichens while watching the video.
• In pairs, brainstorm/discuss examples of familiar living things/items that remind them of the lichens in the video.
• Use phenomenon video to anchor discussions of relationships among organisms familiar to students.
• Develop a claim that lichens are in a mutualistic relationship between a fungus and an alga. Support the claim with evidence and scientific reasoning.
• Research and compare the types of relationships among organisms (mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism). 
• Create a poster of a relationship among organisms (mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism). Provide examples of the relationship.
• Construct a claim that two organisms are an example of a particular relationship (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, etc) and support with scientific evidence and reasoning.

• LiveScience | What Are Lichens?:  LiveScience explains that lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. Structure, appearance, counter-examples, and importance are also discussed.
• Utah State University | Fun with Lichens: This article includes a description of lichens, how they grow, and uses.
• Sciencing | Five types of Ecological Relationships: This website defines predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and amensalism. The lichen is referenced under “mutualism”. Below this article are several related articles that discuss the types of relationships among organisms. 
• National Geographic | Ecological Relationships Lesson:  This activity features videos of ecological relationships, specifically symbiosis. Students categorize the various examples as either mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism. 
• Data Nuggets | Tree-killing Beetles:  provides a lesson on data sets for students to examine, a teacher guide
• National Geographic | Frogs Hitch a Ride on Water Buffalo: This article highlights a unique mutualistic relationship between frogs and buffalo.