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The globally threatened epiphytic cyanolichen Erioderma pedicellatum depends on a rare combination of habitat factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2022

Alexander R. Nilsson Open the ORCID record for Alexander R. Nilsson [Opens in a new window] ,
Knut Asbjørn Solhaug Open the ORCID record for Knut Asbjørn Solhaug [Opens in a new window]  and
Yngvar Gauslaa Open the ORCID record for Yngvar Gauslaa [Opens in a new window]
Alexander R. Nilsson
Affiliation:
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
Knut Asbjørn Solhaug
Affiliation:
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
Yngvar Gauslaa*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
*
Author for correspondence: Yngvar Gauslaa. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Lichen extinction occurs at rapid rates as a result of human activity, although species could potentially be rescued by conservation management based on ecophysiological knowledge. The boreal old forest cyanolichen Erioderma pedicellatum currently occurs in few sites worldwide. To protect it from extinction, it is essential to learn more about it. The last remaining good European site is a canyon with a waterfall, in a low-rainfall region of Norway. Here, a spatially restricted population of 1500–2000 thalli dominates the epiphytic vegetation of a small number of Picea abies canopies. We were able to document that 1) E. pedicellatum grew on thin branches with higher bark pH than is normal for P. abies in a canyon that provided an unusual combination of very high light, high air humidity, and cool temperatures in the growing season. However, the species did not inhabit the main waterfall spray zone. 2) Erioderma pedicellatum had a high light saturation point, high CO2 uptake at high light (≥ 600 μmol m−2 s−1) and cool temperatures (5–20 °C), and experienced strong suprasaturation depression of photosynthesis when fully hydrated. 3) It showed good tolerance of desiccation and high light; it was slightly more tolerant than the morphologically similar, but more common cyanolichen Pectenia plumbea. 4) The European population in its sunny habitat had higher water holding capacity than previously recorded in slightly shaded rainforest populations in Newfoundland, consistent with acclimation to compensate for high evaporative demands. Understanding the ecological niche and responses to critical environmental factors is essential for action plans to avoid extinction of E. pedicellatum. Methods used in this study could also be applicable for ecological understanding of other threatened lichen species.

Keywords

bark pHCO2 uptakedesiccation toleranceecophysiologyhydration traitsPectenia plumbea
Type
Standard Paper
Information
The Lichenologist , Volume 54 , Issue 2 , March 2022 , pp. 123 - 136
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the British Lichen Society

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