Summary
Previous publications have reported on investigations of CO2 exchange in the desert lichenRamalina maciformis both in its natural habitat in the Negev and in the laboratory. Utilizing laboratory data, net photosynthesis and dark respiration were expressed as mathematical functions of the most important environmental factors. Based on these relationships, a model is developed that allows one to predict CO2 exchange of the plant. Input data are light intensity, temperature, and water content of the thallus, together with a measure of the rate of the seasonal change of photosynthetic and respiratory activity. The validity of the model is tested by comparing simulated daily courses of CO2 uptake and release of the lichen with independent results of CO2 exchange measurements conducted in the field during and after the condensation of dew. The sensitivity of the model is shown by simulating changes in the input data of temperature and water content of the lichen.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bavel, C.H.M. van, DeMichele, D.W., Ahmed, J.: A model of gas and energy exchange regulation by stomatal action in plant leaves. The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, MP1078, 1–26 (1973)
Cunningham, G.L., Balding, F.R., Syvertsen, J.P.: A net CO2 exchange model for C4-grasses. Photosynthetica8, 28–30 (1974)
Galun, M.: The lichens of Israel. Jerusalem: Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities 1970
Gannutz, T.P.: Effects of environmental extremes on Lichens. Soc. bot. Fr., Colloque sur les Lichens1967, 167–179 (1967)
Geiger, I.L.: Ein mathematisches Modell zur Simulation der Netto-Photosynthese der FlechteRamalina maciformis. Zulassungsarbeit Universität Würzburg (unpublished) (1976)
Hall, A.E., Björkman, O.: Model of leaf photosynthesis and respiration. In: Perspectives of biophysical ecology (D.M. Gates, R.B. Schmerl, eds.), Ecological Studies, Vol. 12, pp. 55–72. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1975
Harris, G.P.: The ecology of corticolous lichens. II. The relationship between physiology and the environment. J. Ecol.59, 441–452 (1971)
Harris, G.P.: The ecology of corticolous lichens. III. A simulation model of productivity as a function of light intensity and water availability. J. Ecol.60, 19–40 (1972)
Harris, G.P.: Water content and productivity of lichens. In: Water and plant life, problems and modern approaches (O.L. Lange, L. Kappen, E.-D. Schulze, eds.), Ecological Studies, Vol. 19, pp. 452–468. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1976
Johnson, F.H., Eyring, H., Polissar, M.J.: The kinetic basis of molecular biology. New York: Wiley 1954
Kappen, L., Lange, O.L., Schulze, E.-D., Evenari, M., Buschbom, U.: Primary production of lower plants (lichens) in the desert and its physiological basis. In: Photosynthesis and productivity in different environments, IBP Vol. 3 (J. Cooper, ed.), pp. 133–143. Cambridge-London-New York-Melbourne: Cambridge Univ. Press 1975
Kershaw, K.A., Harris, G.P.: Simulation studies and ecology. II. Use of the model. In: Statistical ecology (G.P. Patil, E.C. Pielou, W.E. Waters, eds.), Vol. 3, pp. 22–42. Pennsylvania: State Univ. Press 1971
Koch, W., Lange, O.L., Schulze, E.-D.: Ecophysiological investigations on wild and cultivated plants in the Negev Desert. I. Methods: A mobile laboratory for measuring carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange. Oecologia (Berl.)8, 296–309 (1971)
Lange, O.L.: Experimentell-ökologische Untersuchungen an Flechten der Negev-Wüste. I. CO2-Gaswechsel vonRamalina maciformis (Del.) Bory unter kontrollierten Bedingungen im Laboratorium. Flora, Abt. B158, 324–359 (1969a) — (Technical translation 1654, National Research Council of Canada: Ecophysiological investigations on lichens of the Negev Desert. I. CO2 gas exchange ofRamalina maciformis (Del.) Bory under controlled conditions in the laboratory)
Lange, O.L.: Die funktionellen Anpassungen der Flechten an die ökologischen Bedingungen arider Gebiete. Ber. dtsch. bot. Ges.82, 3–22 (1969b)
Lange, O.L., Koch, W., Schulze, E.-D.: CO2 Gaswechsel und Wasserhaushalt von Pflanzen in der Negev-Wüste am Ende der Trockenzeit. Ber. dtsch. bot. Ges.82, 39–61 (1969)
Lange, O.L., Schulze, E.-D., Kappen, L., Buschbom, U., Evenari, M.: Adaptations of desert lichens to drought and extreme temperatures. In: Environmental physiology of desert organisms (N.F. Hadley, ed.), pp. 2–37. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross 1975
Lange, O.L., Schulze, E.-D., Koch, W.: Experimentell-ökologische Untersuchungen an Flechten der Negev-Wüste. II. CO2-Gaswechsel und Wasserhaushalt vonRamalina maciformis (Del.) Bory am natürlichen Standort während der sommerlichen Trockenperiode. Flora159, 38–62 (1970) — (Technical translation 1655, National Research Council of Canada: Ecophysiological investigations on lichens of the Negev Desert. II. CO2 gas exchange and water relations ofRamalina maciformis (Del.) Bory in its natural habitat during the summer dry period)
Schulze, E.-D., Lange, O.L., Lembke, G.: A digital registration system for net photosynthesis and transpiration measurements in the field and an associated analysis of errors. Oecologia (Berl.)10, 151–166 (1972)
Schulze, E.-D., Lange, O.L., Evenari, M., Kappen, L., Buschbom, U.: An empirical model of net photosynthesis for the desert plantHammada scoparia (Pomel) Iljin. I. Description and test of the model. Oecologia (Berl.)22, 355–372 (1976)
Smith, D.: The physiology ofPeltigera polydactyla (Neck.) Hoffm. Lichenologist1, 209–226 (1961)
Stålfelt, M.G.: Flechten und Moose. In: Handb. d. Pflanzenphysiol., Bd. V/2 (A. Pirson, Hrsg.), S. 364–375. Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg: Springer 1960
Taylor, S.E., Sexton, O.J.: Some implications of leaf tearing in Musaceae. Ecology53, 143–149 (1972)
Tenhunen, J.D., Yocum, C.S., Gates, D.M.: Developmental of a photosynthesis model with an emphasis on ecological applications. I. Theory. Oecologia (Berl.)26, 89–100 (1976)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This paper is dedicated to Dr. h.c. Oscar Klement on the occasion of his 80th birthday
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lange, O.L., Geiger, I.L. & Schulze, E.D. Ecophysiological investigations on lichens of the Negev desert. Oecologia 28, 247–259 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00751603
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00751603