Abstract
SUMMARYThe rate of natural acclimation of net photosynthetic temperature optima in Peltigera canina var. praetextata has been examined intensively over a short time period. It has also been induced experimentally under controlled conditions in the laboratory: during an unusual pattern of weather conditions in early spring, the temperature optimum for net photosynthesis changed from approximately 5°C to 25°C and back down to 5°C. Concurrently maximum ambient field temperatures changed from 0°C up to 29°C and back down to 6°C over a 2 week period. Replicates of P. polydactyla collected in the field after being cold acclimated in April, showed an identical and immediate response when stored moist for 24 h at 25°C. In October experimental material with a net photosynthetic temperature optimum of 15°C showed a similarly rapid response when stored moist for 24 h at 5°C. However, temperature acclimation in Peltigera also appears to have a strong seasonal component, and low temperature acclimation cannot be induced experimentally during mid‐summer. Similarly high temperature acclimation cannot be induced in mid‐winter. The results are discussed in relation to temperature acclimation and winter hardening in higher plants, and it is suggested that the process of acclimation is particularly important to lichens enabling them to survive successfully in otherwise harsh environmental conditions.
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