Lourdes Morillas1, Javier Roales1,2, Cristina Cruz1, Silvana Munzi1,3. 1. Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal. 2. Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. Utrera Km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain. 3. Centro Interuniversitário de História das Ciências e da Tecnologia Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract
Lichens are classified into different functional groups depending on their ecological and physiological response to a given environmental stressor. However, knowledge on lichen response to the synergistic effect of multiple environmental factors is extremely scarce, although vital to get a comprehensive understanding of the effects of global change. We exposed six lichen species belonging to different functional groups to the combined effects of two nitrogen (N) doses and direct sunlight involving both high temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 58 days. Irrespective of their functional group, all species showed a homogenous response to N with cumulative, detrimental effects and an inability to recover following sunlight, UV exposure. Moreover, solar radiation made a tolerant species more prone to N pollution's effects. Our results draw attention to the combined effects of global change and other environmental drivers on canopy defoliation and tree death, with consequences for the protection of ecosystems.
Lichens are classified into different functional groups depending on their ecological and physiological response to a given environmental stressor. However, knowledge on lichen response to the synpan>ergistic effect of multiple environmental factors is extremely scarce, although vital to get a comprehensive understanpan>ding of the effects of global chanpan>ge. We exposed six lichen species belonging to different functional groups to the combined effects of two pan> class="Chemical">nitrogen (N) doses and direct sunlight involving both high temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 58 days. Irrespective of their functional group, all species showed a homogenous response to N with cumulative, detrimental effects and an inability to recover following sunlight, UV exposure. Moreover, solar radiation made a tolerant species more prone to N pollution's effects. Our results draw attention to the combined effects of global change and other environmental drivers on canopy defoliation and tree death, with consequences for the protection of ecosystems.
Authors: Gary M Lovett; Marissa Weiss; Andrew M Liebhold; Thomas P Holmes; Brian Leung; Kathy Fallon Lambert; David A Orwig; Faith T Campbell; Jonathan Rosenthal; Deborah G McCullough; Radka Wildova; Matthew P Ayres; Charles D Canham; David R Foster; Shannon L LaDeau; Troy Weldy Journal: Ecol Appl Date: 2016-05-10 Impact factor: 4.657