It Is Hot in the Sun: Antarctic Mosses Have High Temperature Optima for Photosynthesis Despite Cold Climate

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dc.contributor.authorPerera Castro, Alicia, V
dc.contributor.authorWaterman, Melinda J.
dc.contributor.authorTurnbull, Johanna D.
dc.contributor.authorAshcroft, Michael B.
dc.contributor.authorMcKinley, Ella
dc.contributor.authorWatling, Jennifer R.
dc.contributor.authorBramley Alves, Jessica
dc.contributor.authorCasanova Katny, Angelica
dc.contributor.authorZuniga, Gustavo
dc.contributor.authorFlexas, Jaume
dc.contributor.authorRobinson, Sharon A.
dc.date2020
dc.date.accessioned2021-04-30T17:05:08Z
dc.date.available2021-04-30T17:05:08Z
dc.description.abstractThe terrestrial flora of Antarctica's frozen continent is restricted to sparse ice-free areas and dominated by lichens and bryophytes. These plants frequently battle sub-zero temperatures, extreme winds and reduced water availability; all influencing their ability to survive and grow. Antarctic mosses, however, can have canopy temperatures well above air temperature. At midday, canopy temperatures can exceed 15 degrees C, depending on moss turf water content. In this study, the optimum temperature of photosynthesis was determined for six Antarctic moss species:Bryum pseudotriquetrum,Ceratodon purpureus,Chorisodontium aciphyllum,Polytrichastrum alpinum,Sanionia uncinata, andSchistidium antarcticicollected from King George Island (maritime Antarctica) and/or the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. Both chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange showed maximum values of electron transport rate occurred at canopy temperatures higher than 20 degrees C. The optimum temperature for both net assimilation of CO(2)and photoprotective heat dissipation of three East Antarctic species was 20-30 degrees C and at temperatures below 10 degrees C, mesophyll conductance did not significantly differ from 0. Maximum mitochondrial respiration rates occurred at temperatures higher than 35 degrees C and were lower by around 80% at 5 degrees C. Despite the extreme cold conditions that Antarctic mosses face over winter, the photosynthetic apparatus appears optimised to warm temperatures. Our estimation of the total carbon balance suggests that survival in this cold environment may rely on a capacity to maximize photosynthesis for brief periods during summer and minimize respiratory carbon losses in cold conditions.
dc.identifier.citationFRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE,Vol.11,,2020
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpls.2020.01178
dc.identifier.urihttp://repositoriodigital.uct.cl/handle/10925/3996
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherFRONTIERS MEDIA SA
dc.sourceFRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
dc.subject.englishAntarctica
dc.subject.englishbryophytes
dc.subject.englishcarbon balance
dc.subject.englishelectron transport rate
dc.subject.englishmesophyll conductance
dc.subject.englishnet CO(2)assimilation
dc.subject.englishnon-photochemical quenching
dc.subject.englishrespiration
dc.titleIt Is Hot in the Sun: Antarctic Mosses Have High Temperature Optima for Photosynthesis Despite Cold Climate
dc.typeArticle
uct.catalogadorWOS
uct.indizacionSCI
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