The influence of microclimatic conditions on potential photosynthesis of Usnea sphacelata: A model

• Published in: Ecological Research
• Main Authors: Bölter, Manfred, Kappen, Ludger, Meyer, Michael
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1989
• Subjects: Casey Station; Wilkes Land
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf02348450; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1007%2FBF02348450; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1007/BF02348450/fullpdf

Abstract At a boulder on a hill near Casey Station, Wilkes Land, sensors for light, temperature and humidity were installed facing the four cardinal directions. The measurements lasted for about two months of the summer season 1985/86. The data recording was carried out at intervals of 6 minutes for all probes by automatic recording instruments. Data analysis was carried out with special regard to the biological effects of the parameters analyzed. These data of the microclimatic features taken from its original place of growth were used to a regression model of potential photosynthetic activity of Usnea sphacelata , which is a characteristic species of this area. Although the individual time courses of the above mentioned parameters show long periods of favourable conditions for possible growth and metabolic processes, the combined analysis of these variables considering threshold values for metabolism shortens these time spans drastically. Thus, cross relationships within the physical descriptors and their effects on the actual values of photosynthesis as well as respiration become evident. They are illustrated by the results of models on photosynthesis and respiration of U. sphacelata regarding the different cardinal directions.