Living on the edge: Lichen success in extreme conditions is driven by multiple symbiotic interactions
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
—
Call for proposals
SGA0202600006
Main participants
Univerzita Karlova / Přírodovědecká fakulta
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-23406N
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Living on the edge: Lichen success in extreme conditions is driven by multiple symbiotic interactions
Annotation in Czech
Symbioses shape biodiversity, influence ecosystem functions and allow organisms to inhabit extreme environments. Lichens exhibit remarkable ecological resilience and resistance to abiotic stresses, yet the mechanisms behind remain poorly understood. Focusing on lichens that dominate the littoral zone of seashores, this project investigates the role of photobiont diversity and its functional dynamics. It aims to examine (i) the diversity and environmental determinants of photobiont associations, (ii) turnover in active photobiont communities across tidal and hydration states, and (iii) the functional interactions of the mycobiont with the main and accessory photobionts and their contribution to the lichen holobiont. By integrating ecological and molecular approaches–Sanger sequencing, rRNA metabarcoding, and mRNA metatranscriptomics–this study will reveal how symbiotic flexibility enhances lichen survival in extreme and fluctuating environments. It will contribute to our understanding of symbiosis-mediated mechanisms that likely facilitate adaptation to various stressors.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
10617 - Marine biology, freshwater biology, limnology
OECD FORD - secondary branch
10618 - Ecology
OECD FORD - another secondary branch
10602 - Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology
CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
DA - Hydrology and limnology<br>EA - Morphology and cytology<br>EH - Ecology - communities
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
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Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GY-R
Data delivery date
Apr 30, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
4,148 thou. CZK
Public financial support
4,148 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK