Lichens survived a radiation testSourced
In a forest radiation experiment, lichens proved unexpectedly tough.
Researchers irradiated part of a Wisconsin forest in 1972 to study ecological effects. Lichens and some plants survived close to the source, where the team had expected total devastation; lichen communities showed strong resistance.
A modest-looking life form exceeded expectations.
Summary / translation: Unbubly · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Enterprise Radiation Forest · Wikimedia contributors
Adapted, summarized and translated from the source. Adapted text is also available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reviewed: 2026-10-02