The longwave infrared (3-14 μm) spectral properties of rock encrusting lichens based on laboratory spectra and airborne SEBASS imagery

► We document the longwave (3-14 μm) spectral properties of rock encrusting lichens. ► The maximum reflectance observed for rock encrusting lichens is 1.6%. ► Lichens display low spectral contrast and approach a blackbody behavior. ► Three features are attributed to organic compounds in lichens (3.41, 6.58, 8.13 μm). ► SEBASS data shows mixing trajectories between lichen and geological endmembers.