Desiccation Tolerance of Epiphytic Macrolichens in an Evergreen Temperate Rain Forest (Alerce Costero National Park, Chile)

datacite.alternateIdentifier.citationPLANTS-BASEL,Vol.13,2024
datacite.alternateIdentifier.doi10.3390/plants13111519
datacite.creatorVillagra, Johana
datacite.creatorRaggio, Jose
datacite.creatorAlors, David
datacite.creatorSancho, Leopoldo G.
datacite.date2024
datacite.subject.englishepiphytic macrolichens
datacite.subject.englishdesiccation tolerance
datacite.subject.englishchlorophyll fluorescence
datacite.subject.englishAlerce Costero National Park
datacite.titleDesiccation Tolerance of Epiphytic Macrolichens in an Evergreen Temperate Rain Forest (Alerce Costero National Park, Chile)
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-10T18:47:12Z
dc.date.available2024-09-10T18:47:12Z
dc.description.abstractThe Valdivian region has a temperate rainy climate with differences in rainfall throughout the year. This heterogeneity results in periods of summer drought that expose the poikilohydric epiphytes to desiccation. With this research, we aim to answer different research questions related to phorophyte preference, response to desiccation, and response to radiation. How does the diversity of macrolichens vary at a local and microclimate scale in three tree species within an evergreen forest? What is the tolerance limit of macrolichens against prolonged desiccation, according to evaluation of the maximum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and pigment concentration? What is the tolerance limit against a potential increase in radiation? We found that macrolichen communities are determined by tree species, which regulate the suitability of the substrate by modifying the temperature and humidity conditions. In addition, our results show a rapid photosynthetic alteration in temporal exposure to desiccation, measured through Fv/Fm and pigment concentration. Our results showed that the most sensitive lichens to radiation and desiccation are not coincident. We confirm the low tolerance of macrolichen species to high radiation, reflected in the saturation profile obtained for the set studied. The lichen community in the evergreen forest showed high complexity and vulnerability, pointing to the importance of more research.
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositoriodigital.uct.cl/handle/10925/5988
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.sourcePLANTS-BASEL
oaire.resourceTypeArticle
uct.indizacionSCI
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