The effects of temperature and moisture on CO2 uptake and total resistance to water loss in the antarctic foliose lichen Umbilicaria antarctica

Maximum net photosynthesis of field‐fresh thalli, illuminated at 200 μmol photons m−2 s−1 (PAR), was attained at 13 °C and 1.10 g g−1 water content. Small but significant rates of photosynthesis were measured at −5.5 °C. Depression of net photosynthesis at high thallus water contents is explained in terms of thallus anatomy. Calculation of evaporative resistance of the thallus by a new method showed a moisture‐dependent response pattern, and was in agreement with direct observations made on other foliose species.

Details