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Are lichens active under snow in continental Antarctica?
Stefan Pannewitz1, Mark Schlensog, T G Allan Green
1Botanisches Institut, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany. Spannewitz@bot.uni-kiel.de
Oecologia
|March 21, 2003
Summary
Antarctic lichens under snow remained inactive due to cold temperatures, with activity only occurring briefly as snow melted. Snow cover limited, rather than protected, lichen photosynthetic activity.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Plant Physiology
- Antarctic Biology
Background:
- Lichens in continental Antarctica face extreme cold and snow cover.
- Understanding lichen photosynthetic activity under snow is crucial for polar ecosystem studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure in vivo photosynthetic activity of Antarctic lichens beneath undisturbed snow.
- To investigate the impact of snow cover and temperature on lichen metabolic activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fiber optics and chlorophyll a fluorometry for in vivo measurements.
- Installed temperature and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) sensors near lichens.
- Monitored lichens under snow from the previous year.
Main Results:
- Snow acted as an insulator, retaining cold and preventing early warming, keeping lichens inactive.
- Lichen activity was limited to a short period (10-14 days) during snowmelt.
- Species-specific responses to humidity and temperature influenced activation timing; some required liquid water.
Conclusions:
- Snow cover in continental Antarctica limits lichen photosynthetic activity, unlike in maritime or alpine regions.
- Extended snow cover negatively impacts lichen growth due to prolonged inactivity.
- Lichen activation is highly dependent on temperature and water availability, particularly liquid water during snowmelt.