Syllabus
1. Symbiosis Historical view on lichens. Principles of lichen symbiosis, evolution of lichenization. Taxonomical view on lichenized fungi. Fungus-alga associations, photobiont, mycobiont. Symbiosis, parasymbiosis, parasitism.
2. Morphology, Reproduction Thallus morphology, growth forms. Anatomy of lichen thallus. Cephalodia. Sexual reproduction, morphology of ascocarps. Vegetative propagules. Growth and dispersal. Growth rate, lichenometry.
3. Photobionts
4. Physiology Water relations. Light and photosynthesis. Respiration. Mineral nutrition, nitrogen fixation.
5. Ecology Substrate ecology. Competition and succession. Biogeography.
6. Bioindication Air pollution, heavy metals and radionuclides. Impact of agricuture. Approaches and methods of environmental monitoring.
7. Lichen chemistry Secondary metabolites - classification and biosynthesis. Identification methods. Role of lichen products. Uses of lichens.
8. Taxonomy and classification Characters and their value. Taxonomic categories. Taxonomic delimitation of lichens, evolution of lichen systems. Concept of modern system of fungi.
Annotation
Lectures are given in the Czech language, but could be done in English too. Lichens are not a systematic group, therefore a biological view of various aspects of their life (growth, reproduction and dispersal, lichen chemistry), introduction in lichen physiology and ecology as well as phenomenon of symbiosis and its various forms, principles of lichen taxonomy and the integration of lichenized fungi into a natural phyllogenetical system are main topics of the course. Practicals are an integral part of the course and are focused on various forms of fungus-alga associations, lichen thallus morphology, sexual reproduction and vegetative propagules, secondary lichen products and using of identification methods.
Course for students of cryptogamology as well as other specializations in botany.