Naava and luppo

Lichens and lichens grow as beard-like growths hanging from tree branches. They can be gray, greenish, yellowish or black in color.

Naava and luppo are very similar in appearance, but luppo is more common than naava. Naava is distinguished by the fact that a light strand grows in the middle. Lupo does not have such a stronger central chord than others.

Naava and lupine are often used as so-called bioindicator species. The bioindicator is particularly sensitive to some environmental factor and can therefore be used to study the state of the environment and its changes. Lupus and especially navels are very sensitive to air pollution, especially to sulfur dioxide, which is produced, for example, when fossil fuels are burned. In clean air, the naves and lupus grow and do well. If there are pollutants in the air, their growth slows down or they disappear from the area completely.

Why then are navas and lupos more sensitive than usual to air pollution? Their habit of growing on tree branches exposes them to pollution all year round. They take all the nutrients they need directly from the air, rainwater or water running down the branches, and are therefore sensitive to air quality. Naavas and lichens, like other lichens, are combinations of algae and fungus, and this balance is also easily disturbed.