Insights
Lichens are not only an indicator of clean air but also fascinating organisms with great aesthetic and ecological significance.
Lichens are true wonders of nature. They grow on walls, trees, and other surfaces, often in places where other organisms struggle to survive. Their ability to switch into a dormant state allows them to withstand long periods of drought and shade. Some species grow so slowly that they can live for centuries.
Lichens are remarkable pioneers of the natural world. They grow on a wide range of surfaces—from trees and deadwood to soil and stone. Switzerland is home to around 2,000 different lichen species, displaying an astonishing variety of shapes and colors. At the same time, more than a third of native tree- and soil-dwelling lichen species are listed as threatened.
These remarkable organisms make an important contribution to ecological balance and are also aesthetically valuable. Lichens grow extremely slowly—often just 0.1 to 1 millimeter per year—and can live for hundreds of years. They reveal their full beauty especially on old trees, walls, and undisturbed deadwood.
They give concrete walls and gray stones a distinctive artistic patina that speaks of age and history. At the same time, they are valuable indicators of clean air and healthy ecosystems. Even on fruit trees, where they may not become visible for decades, they don’t harm the tree—instead, they’re a sign of a natural balance.