Lichen ecophysiology in a changing climate

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Symbiosis
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Lichens are widely recognized as key bioindicators for environmental quality and climate change.
• Recent decades have seen significant expansion in understanding lichen responses to climate, yet knowledge gaps persist.

Purpose of the Study:

• This review synthesizes current knowledge on lichen ecophysiology to predict responses to present and future climates.
• It highlights advances and identifies critical challenges in the field.

Main Methods:

• The review emphasizes a dual-scale approach: whole-thallus and within-thallus perspectives.
• Key environmental drivers like vapor pressure differential (VPD) and internal symbiont dynamics are examined.

Main Results:

• Whole-thallus responses are strongly influenced by water content and form, with VPD being a crucial factor.
• Within-thallus changes, including symbiont shifts, offer acclimation pathways but require further study regarding carbon allocation and turnover.
• Current research is biased towards larger, high-latitude lichens, underrepresenting biodiversity.

Conclusions:

• Improving predictions of lichen responses to climate change necessitates broader geographic and phylogenetic coverage.
• Future research should prioritize VPD, carbon allocation, symbiont turnover, and integrate physiological theory with functional traits.