Reindeer Lichen

Reindeer lichen dominates arctic and subarctic tundra, covering vast areas where few other organisms survive. Growing just 3-5mm per year, individual colonies can be centuries old. This lichen is the primary winter food source for caribou and reindeer - entire human cultures (Sami, Inuit) depend on this symbiotic organism's productivity.

The business parallel is foundational infrastructure that enables entire ecosystems. Reindeer lichen is the 'platform' upon which arctic food webs are built. Its slow growth means recovery from overgrazing takes decades - a lesson in sustainable resource extraction. Herders must rotate grazing areas across 20-30 year cycles, matching exploitation rate to regeneration rate.