Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T23:25:00.307Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Field measurements of carbon dioxide exchange of the Antarctic lichen Usnea sphacelata in the frozen state

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2004

L. Kappen
Affiliation:
Institut für Polarökologie der Universität Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40, D-2300 Kiel, Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

Field measurements of CO2 exchange were made with an infra-red gas analyser system on lichens at Bailey Peninsula, Wilkes Land, continental Antarctica. It has been demonstrated that Usnea sphacelata, a prominent element of the cryptogamic vegetation of this area, became photosynthetically active at temperatures below 0°C when the thalli were covered by drifted snow. Carbon dioxide uptake was detected down to −10°C. The carbon production during such a ‘frost’ day was considerable for a slow-growing Antarctic lichen. The importance of snow for production in lichens is emphasized. The mechanism of water uptake when the thalli are frozen needs further investigation.

Type
Papers—Life Sciences and Oceanography
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)