Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/2440/51623
Citations | ||
Scopus | Web of Science® | Altmetric |
---|---|---|
?
|
?
|
Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Differences in the utilization of water vapour and free water in two co-occurring foliose lichens from semi-arid southern Australia |
Author: | de Vries, M. Watling, J. |
Citation: | Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere, 2008; 33(8):975-985 |
Publisher: | Blackwell Science Asia |
Issue Date: | 2008 |
ISSN: | 1442-9985 1442-9993 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Melita C. de Vries and Jennifer R. Watling |
Abstract: | Hydration and dehydration kinetics were investigated in two xerophytic lichens with contrasting thallus morphologies, Chondropsis semiviridis (F.Muell. ex Nyl.) Nyl. and Xanthoparmelia convoluta (Krempehl.) Hale. Pulse-modulated chlorophyll fluorescence was used to measure photosynthetic activity in thalli hydrated with either liquid water or water vapour in the laboratory and in the field. Water content (WC) and photosynthetic activity of thalli in both species increased rapidly on contact with liquid water. When exposed to water vapour, C. semiviridis hydrated more rapidly and achieved higher WC than X. convoluta. Both lichens achieved maximum Fv/Fm at low WC, regardless of hydration source. Rates of water loss were slower, and Fv/Fm remained high for longer, in X. convoluta than in C. semiviridis. Light saturated electron transport rates of both lichens were low compared with a homoiohydric plant from the same environment. Our results suggest that X. convoluta, which has a more complex morphology, retains water and remains photosynthetically active for significantly longer periods than C. semiviridis, providing X. convoluta with a potential advantage in the semi-arid environment in which both species are found. |
Keywords: | chlorophyll fluorescence desiccation hydration lichen photosynthesis |
Description: | © 2008 Ecological Society of Australia |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01868.x |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01868.x |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest Earth and Environmental Sciences publications Environment Institute Leaders publications |
Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.