Photosynthetic performance of photobionts under intense visible and UV-A radiation in lichens with light-absorbing or light-reflecting fungal pigments.

Photosynthetic performance of photobionts in lichens is more impaired by visible radiation than UV-A1, with significant but reversible photoinhibition observed after sunlight exposure.

• Why it matters: Understanding how lichens respond to different light components is crucial for predicting their resilience under changing weather conditions and increased sunlight exposure.
• What they did: The study applied a one-hour sunlight, VIS, and UV-A1 radiation exposure to two lichens, Cetraria aculeata and Cladonia uncialis, and assessed photosynthetic parameters using chlorophyll fluorescence, spectra, and pigment measurements.
• The result: VIS radiation caused notable photoinhibition of PSII, while UV-A1 had minimal inhibitory effects but stimulated pigment synthesis and energy utilization, revealing species-specific light coping strategies.