Lange, OL/ Meyer, A/ Zellner, H/ Heber, U 1994: Photosynthesis and water relations of lichen soil crusts: field measurements in the coastal fog zone of the Namib Desert. - Functional Ecology8: 253-264. [RLL List # 157 / Rec.# 11037] Keywords: CO2 EXCHANGE/ COMPENSATION POINT/ NAMIB DESERT/ PHOTOSYNTHESIS/ PHOTOSYNTHESIS RATES/ RESPIRATION/ SOIL CRUSTS/ WATER RELATIONS
Abstract: 7 fig. 1 tab. [Photosynthetic and respiratory CO2 exchange rates were studied in three species: Acarospora cf. schleicheri, Caloplaca volkii, and Lecidella crystallina. "Area-related, maximal, daily net photosynthetic carbon gain of the three species under natural conditions was 158-290 mg C m-2 day-1. A very rough, first estimate of the annual carbon balance of the soil-crust lichens (photosynthetic gain minus respiratory losses) was 16 g C m-2 year-1."]