The photo is sourced from ksc.krasn.ru
Lichens are well-represented in various eco-systems including Siberian forests vulnerable to the climate change. The specialists studied three species of lichens: Parmelia sulcata Taylor, Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl and Evernia mesomorpha Nyl, which grow in the Gremyachia Griva eco-park in Krasnoyarsk. These lichens are capable not only of absorbing, but also of emitting greenhouse gases including CO2, nitrogen oxide and methane.
According to the results of the preceding research, sporiparous plants emit more CO2 and methane when ambient temperatures grow above 20 degrees Celsius. The scientists from SFU and Krasnoyarsk Research Center confirmed this for epithetical lichens, i.e., growing on other plants. “The pattern of emitting or absorbing greenhouse gases by lichens may also change due to heavy rains or droughts. Methane will be in-flowing into the atmosphere faster during more humid periods. This shows the importance of lichens and the need to account for them in the models assessing the response of the carbon cycle in natural eco-systems to the climate change”, the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) is citing Oksana Masyagina, candidate of biological sciences.
Lichens include green fungi, bacteria, Cyanea (bacteria capable of photosynthesis) and green algae. The latter perform photosynthesis and are especially sensitive of toxic exposure. In particular, the lichens’ photosynthesis capacities (emitting oxygen and transforming CO2 and water into glucose) may be suppressed in polluted atmosphere. As a result, lichens not only absorb less CO2, but also accumulate the pollutants from the air.
«Currently, the researchers attribute the forests where lichens were collected to the zones with low or moderate pollution. However, heat and power plants and private housing are located close by to the South-West, and they have been using coal as fuel for many decades. Our measurements confirm that lichens on the southern and western sides of the tree trunks are more exposed to polluted air. Eventually, they accumulate more hazardous chemicals, heavy metals and coal combustion products. The accumulated toxic substances suppress physiological activity, photosynthesis, in particular”, the RSF is citing Olga Masyagina.
