Source of vanillin, syringic aldehyde, dimethyl sulfoxide, Lignin (Dealkaline) can be extender for phenolic plastics, to strengthen rubber (esp for shoe soles), as oil mud additive, to stabilize asphalt emulsions, to precipitate proteins.

The overall appearance of lichens is described as crustose (they make a thin and flat crust on the substratum), foliose or fruticose (upright, branched forms, resembling shrubs). Lichens grow slowly from a few millimeters to several meters each year. They reproduce mostly by the development of apothecia or perithecia, forming new lichens on germination of the ascospores only in the presence of the algal partner in whose absence the fungus dies.
Nearly 700 chemicals, which are unique to lichens, help lichens to survive and ward off attacks by bacteria, other fungi and grazing herbivores.
Lichens belong to soil-crust communities and help stabilize soils, especially in desert areas. Cyanolichens contribute to fixing nitrogen to the ecosystem in which they grow. LicheGare used for identifying the age of the surface (on which they grow) by a technique, called lichenometry..
Lichens are pollution indicators because of their differential sensitivity to sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone, as well as their ability to absorb and accumulate heavy metals and radionuclides..
Substances like pigments, toxins, antibiotics, etc. are obtained from lichens, which are especially useful as a source of dyes (for example, Roccella, providing litmus), medicines and perfumes. Some lichens, like Iceland moss and reindeer moss, are used as food in arctic regions.