Abstract
SummaryUsing specially made controlled environment chambers, the rates of nitrogen fixed in the field by the lichens Peltigera membranacea, P. polydactyla and Lobaria pulmonaria have been estimated under simulated seasonal conditions. The chambers permitted direct comparisons between short term acetylene reduction estimates and long term incorporation of 15N2 labelled gas. Large thallus samples minimized variation, and the overall figures of N2 fixed integrated the effects of fluctuations in temperature, daylength, light intensity and thallus moisture content. Empirical factors have been derived to relate short term rates of acetylene reduction to long term rates of N2 incorporation. Under predominantly moist conditions, factors of 8 to 10 were found. Drier summer conditions can result in factors in excess of 20. Estimated rates of total nitrogen input were 4 to 6 kg ha−1 per year. In dry exposed situations rates can be approximately half this figure.
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