Abstract Epiphytic lichens are important biodiversity components of forest canopies world‐wide, significantly contributing to ecosystem function. The RGR, a measure fitness, drives population dynamics and shapes lichens’ large‐scale distributions. In climate change scenario, we need know how external (macro‐ microclimate, nitrogen deposition) internal factors (cortical pigments, chlorophyll specimen size) affect RGR in these ecologically canopy organisms. We used dominant pendulous hair...

Mat-forming lichens dominating high-latitudinal habitats vary in color and geometry. Widespread species are light greenish yellow (usnic acid) reflect solar radiation, whereas melanic absorbing most wavelengths spatially more restricted. Color thereby influences lichens' energy budget thus their hydration photosynthetically active periods. By using well-defined cushions from early successional stages on glacier forelands - three melanic(m) usnic(u) mat-forming with hair-like branches...

Although water is essential for photosynthetic activation in lichens, rates of vapor uptake and humid air, which likely influence their niche preferences distribution ranges, are insufficiently known. This study simultaneously quantifies rehydration kinetics PSII reactivation sympatric, yet morphologically functionally distinct cephalolichens (Lobaria amplissima, Lobaria pulmonaria, virens). High-temporal resolution monitoring rehydrating thalli by automatic weighing combined with...

Abstract Lobaria pulmonaria is a widespread epiphytic foliose lichen that exhibits prominent reticulum, structure has presumed role in mechanical support and water capture. Using photogrammetry, thallus topography was digitally modelled three dimensions to calculate 3D surface area (A ), which consistently greater than areas extracted from projected images 2D ). The A :A ratio, proxy for topographic three-dimensionality, strongly correlated with both specific mass (STM) external...

We quantified annual growth rate and loss of Bryoria capillaris Usnea dasopoga transplants on Picea abies parts lower branches in the inner versus outer canopy small, medium tall trees hemiboreal forests. Light at was 2.7 x (for capillaris) 2.0 dasopoga) higher than lichens' respective light compensation points, 10.7 ± 1.2 14.5 2.2 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively. Many thalli were lost/fragmented sheltered small intermediate trees, not exposed to wind, rain snow. Hardly any occurred for Usnea....

Abstract Aim Functional traits offer a window into how organisms are adapted, and might acclimate, to environmental pressures. Despite being important in ecosystem function, lichens underrepresented trait‐based research; understanding lichen functional vary with climate habitat availability will be useful predicting communities respond change, for example, wetter warmer boreal arctic ecosystems. Here, we assess the influence of macroclimate forest on spatial distribution across Norway....