Summary
Dry lichen thalli were enclosed in gas exchange chambers and treated with an air stream of high relative humidity (96.5 to near 100%) until water potential equilibrium was reached with the surrounding air (i.e., no further increase of weight through water vapor uptake). They were then sprayed with liquid water. The treatment took place in the dark and was interrupted by short periods of light. CO2 exchange during light and dark respiration was monitored continuously. With no exception water uptake in all of the lichen species with green algae as phycobionts lead to reactivation of the photosynthetic metabolism. Further-more, high rates of CO2 assimilation were attained without the application of liquid water. To date 73 species with different types of Chlorophyceae phycobionts have been tested in this and other studies. In contrast, hydration through high air humidity alone failed to stimulate positive net photosynthesis in any of the lichens with blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria). These required liquid water for CO2 assimilation. So far 33 species have been investigated, and all have behaved similarly. These have included gelatinous as well as heteromerous species, most with Nostoc phycobionts but in addition some with three other Cyanophyceae phycobionts. The same phycobiont performance differences existed even within the same genus (e.g. Lobaria, Peltigera) between species pairs containing green or blue-green phycobionts respectively. Free living algae also seem to behave in a similar manner. Carbon isotope ratios of the lichen thalli suggest that a definite ecological difference exists in water status-dependent photosynthesis of species with green and blue-green phycobionts. The underlying biochemical or biophysical mechanisms are not yet understood. Apparently, a fundamental difference in the structure of the two groups of algae is involved.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bertsch A (1966a) Über den CO2-Gaswechsel einiger Flechten nach Wasserdampfaufnahme. Planta 68:157–166
Bertsch A (1966b) CO2-Gaswechsel und Wasserhaushalt der aerophilen Grünalge Apatococcus lobatus. Planta 70:46–72
Büttner R (1971) Untersuchungen zur Ökologie und Physiologie des Gasstoffwechsels bei einigen Strauchflechten. Flora (Jena) 160:72–99
Butin H (1954) Physiologisch-Ökologische Untersuchungen über den Wasserhaushalt und die Photosynthese bei Flechten. Biol Zentralbl 73:459–502
Edlich F (1936) Einwirkung von Temperatur und Wasser auf aerophile Algen. Arch Mikrobiol 7:62–109
Henssen A, Büdel B, Wessels D (1985) New or interesting members of the Lichenaceae from southern Africa. I. Species from northern and eastern Transvaal. Mycotaxon 22:169–195
Kappen L (1983) Ecology and physiology of the Antarctic fruticose lichen Usnea sulphurea (Koenig) Th. Fries. Polar Biol 1:249–255
Lange OL, Bertsch A (1965) Photosynthese der Wüstenflechte Ramalina maciformis nach Wasserdampfaufnahme aus dem Luftraum. Naturwissenschaften 52:215–216
Lange OL, Kappen L (1972) Photosynthesis of lichens from Antarctica. In: Antarctic Terrestrial Biology (ed. Llano GA) 83–95. Antarctic Research 29, American Geophysical Union, Washington DC
Lange OL, Kilian E (1985) Reaktivierung der Photosynthese trockener Flechten durch Wasserdampfaufnahme aus dem Luftraum: Artspezifisch unterschiedliches Verhalten. Flora (Jena) 176:7–23
Lange OL, Redon J (1983) Epiphytische Flechten im Bereich einer chilenischen “Nebeloase” (Fray Jorge). II. Ökophysiologische Charakterisierung von CO2-Gaswechsel und Wasserhaushalt. Flora (Jena) 174:245–284
Lange OL, Tenhunen JD (1981) Moisture content and CO2 exchange of lichens. II. Depression of net photosynthesis in Ramalina maciformis at high water content is caused by increased thallus carbon dioxide diffusion resistance. Oecologia (Berlin) 51:426–429
Lange OL, Ziegler H (1986) Different limiting processes of photosynthesis in lichens. In: Biological control of photosynthesis (Marcelle R, Clijsters H, Van Poucke M, eds) Martinus Nijhoff Publishes, Dordrecht, pp 147–161
Lange OL, Schulze E-D, Koch W (1970a) Experimentel-ökologische Untersuchungen an Flechten der Negev-Wüste. II. CO2-Gaswechsel und Wasserhaushalt von Ramalina maciformis (DEL.) BORY am natürlichen Standort während der sommerlichen Trockenperiode. Flora (Jena) 159:38–62
Lange OL, Schulze E-D, Koch W (1970b) Experimentell-ökologische Untersuchungen an Flechten der Negev-Wüste. III. CO2-Gaswechsel und Wasserhaushalt von Krusten- und Blattflechten am natürlichen Standort während der sommerlichen Trockenperiode. Flora (Jena) 159:525–538
Poelt J (1969) Bestimmungsschlüssel europäischer Flechten. Cramer, Lehre/Vaduz
Redon J, Lange OL (1983) Epiphytische Flechten im Bereich einer chilenischen “Nebeloase” (Fray Jorge). I. Vegetationskundliche Gliederung und Standortsbedingungen. Flora (Jena) 174:213–243
Renner B, Galloway DJ (1982) Phycosymbiodemes in Pseudocyphellaria in New Zealand. Mycotaxon 16:197–231
Rundel WP, Lange OL (1980) Water relations and photosynthetic response of a desert moss. Flora (Jena) 168:329–335
Swinscow TDV (1977) Lichenology: Progress and problems (Review). Lichenologist 9:89–91
Vogel JC (1980) Fractionation of the carbon isotopes during photosynthesis. Sitzungsberichte Heidelberger Akad Wiss, Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Klasse, Jg 1980. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Wirth V (1980) Flechtenflora. Ulmer Stuttgart
Zeuch L (1934) Untersuchungen zum Wasserhaushalt von Pleurococcus vulgaris. Planta 22:614–643
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lange, O.L., Kilian, E. & Ziegler, H. Water vapor uptake and photosynthesis of lichens: performance differences in species with green and blue-green algae as phycobionts. Oecologia 71, 104–110 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377327
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377327