Continuous Monitoring of CO₂ Exchange of Lichens in the Field: Short-Term Enclosure with an Automatically Operating Cuvette

Abstract

Field measurements of CO₂ exchange by lichens are difficult because these poikilohydric organisms rely on direct hydration by rain, dew or fog. Continuous enclosure of thalli in conditioned, measurement cuvettes is, therefore, not experimentally reasonable. Porometric instruments with brief enclosure times, have proved useful for studies of lichen gas exchange but allow only spot measurements and recording is not easily possible for extended time periods. We describe a newly developed, automatically operating cuvette that allows long-term monitoring of lichen photosynthetic and respiratory CO₂ exchange in the field. Samples, e.g. flat stone slabs covered with epilithic lichens, are positioned on the base of the cuvette where, when the cuvette is open, they are exposed to the same environmental conditions as naturally growing thalli. At regular intervals (typically 30 min), an upper lid automatically encloses the lichen for c. 3 min in a stirred cuvette; CO₂ exchange is measured using IRGA techniques and microclimate data arc recorded. The successful operation of the cuvette is illustrated by means of diel time courses of CO₂ exchange for selected, very different weather conditions.