Lichens are a remarkable example of collaborative cooperation.

They result from a symbiosis between two extremely different kinds of things.

Each type of lichen is a collaboration between a fungus and an algae (sometimes also teaming up with a blue-green algae, which is technically a different sort of thing).

Terrestrial life would hardly be possible without lichens,

which have the rare ability to live on stones.

(Some types have become more picky, and prefer to live on old wood.)

As they gradually break down the stones, they create soil on which plants can live.

making possible all the other life we know.

The are also a boon to the near-sighted photographer.

They don't move

and they are very beautiful and varied.