Find out what using lichens as biomonitors for the climate and air pollution is all about.
Lichens, a symbiotic partnership between algae and fungi, are excellent (and inexpensive!) biomonitors for telling us about climate change and pollution – and Edmonton is ripe to start using them.
In this webinar, presenter Christopher Schulze explains how Europe and the USA have a long history of using lichen as biomonitors, particularly in relatively wet regions. He also contrasts the Canadian scene – where relatively little work has been done to validate their utility in Canada, particularly in dry, urban environments.
Validating the use of lichens as biomonitors in Edmonton could result in an inexpensive tool to monitor changing environments that is both scientifically sound and engaging for Edmonton’s public through citizen science.
Thank you to the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition (https://www.ervcc.com/) for their generous sponsorship of the webinar.
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