Photosynthetic traits of freshwater lichens are consistent with the submersion conditions of their habitat
Photosynthetic performances of epilithic freshwater lichens representative of various submersion conditions were compared. Pigment composition, respiration rate, photosynthesis activity and PSII efficiency after thalli hydration/dehydration were determined, emphasizing large differences in photosynthetic traits of hyper- and sub-hydrophilic lichens. Our results reveal that performances of different freshwater lichen taxa are consistent with their habitat characteristics.