Lange, OL/ Meyer, A/ Ullmann, I/ Zellner, H 1991: Mikroklima, Wassergehalt und Photosynthesis von Flechten in der küstennahen Nebelzone der Namib-Wüste: Messungen während der herbstlichen Witterungsperiode [Microclimate conditions, water content and photosynthesis of lichens in the coastal fog zone of the Namib Desert: measurements in the Fall]. - Flora185(4): 233-266. [RLL List # / Rec.# 11036] Keywords: FOG ZONE/ NAMIB DESERT/ NAMIBIA/ PHOTOSYNTHESIS/ SOUTH AFRICA/ WATER RELATIONS
Abstract: 13 fig. 4 tab. [Detailed field studies on photosynthesis and water relations in ten species characteristic of the Namib Desert (Alectoria sp., Caloplaca elegantissima, Heterodermia cf. erinacea, Neofuscelia namaensis, Ramalina lacera, Santessonia hereroensis, Teloschistes capensis, Xanthomaculina convoluta, X. hottentotta, Xanthoparmelia walteri.). "The characteristics of a species, especially its growth form, determine maximal rate of photosynthesis and the ability of the lichen to make use of the available moisture. The multibranched fruticose species (e.g., Teloschistes capensis, Alectoria spec., Ramalina lacera) reach higher rates of net photosynthesis than the more compact foliose lichens (e.g., Xanthomaculina convoluta, X. hottentotta, Xanthoparmelia walteri), both their maximal apparent quantum use efficiency (initial slope of the light response curve) and their maximal photosynthetic rates at light saturation being greater."]