1. Formation of fissures in mountain ranges: Crustose lichens grow on rocks in deserts and mountain ranges. Crustose lichens cause fine cracks in the ridges. It breaks the big stones into small stones.
2. Wounding of rock formations: Oxalic acid and carbonic acid released from lichens cause wounding of mountain rock formations. This reduces the durability of the stone and makes it brittle.
3. Disintegrating rocks: Carbon dioxide produced by lichen respiration combines with rainwater to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid disintegrates stone. Turns into small stones.
4. Soil formation: Lichen corpses accumulate to form humus. Humus degrades the quality of rock and mixes with rock to form soil. The process of soil formation is called pedogenesis.
5. Creation of fertile soil: Dead bodies of foliose lichens, fruticose lichens, mosses, ferns etc. mix with the soil to create fertile soil. A variety of crops and forest plants grow on fertile soils.
Pedogenesis of lichens is a chronically slow process. It is a natural method and the result of many years.