Loss of nitrogen fixing capacity in a montane lichen is linked to increased nitrogen deposition

• Published in: The Journal of ecology Vol. 111; no. 2; pp. 280 - 299
• Main Authors: Crittenden, Peter D., Ellis, Christopher J., Smith, Rognvald I., Wanek, Wolfgang, Thornton, Barry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2023
• Subjects: 15N natural abundance; Algae; apothecia; Aquatic plants; Atmospheric models; biofilm; Biofilms; Capacity; Cephalodia; Cyanobacteria; Depletion; Deposition; ecosystems; Fixation; fungi; herbaria; herbarium specimens; Lichens; Morphology; Nitrates; Nitrogen; nitrogen deposition; Nitrogen fixation; Nitrogen isotopes; Nitrogenase; Nitrogenation; Nodules; Parmelia; physiology; pollution; Soil pollution; Stereocaulon; Stereocaulon vesuvianum; Symbionts; Thalli; Thallus; total nitrogen; United Kingdom; United Kingdom

The circumboreal/circumpolar N2‐fixing lichen Stereocaulon vesuvianum is among the most widespread and abundant fruticose species in montane Britain but has lost the capacity to fix N2 over large areas of the country. To investigate whether loss of N2‐fixation in S. vesuvianum is linked to increased...