NITROGEN FIXATION BY LICHENS ON GLACIAL DRIFT IN ICELAND

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Abstract
Summary: Species of Peltigera Willd. and Stereocaulon Schreb. are among the most abundant macrolichens in the developing and older Rhacomitrium heaths on glacial drift at Sólheimajökull. The crustaceous Placopsisgelida (L.) Linds. is also a common pioneer lichen on rocks. These species contain a blue‐green alga either as the primary or secondary phycobiont. Five species of these genera were studied and showed appreciable rates of acetylene reduction. The total N content was greater in species with high nitrogenase activity. The biomass of Peltigera and Stereocaulon and surface area of Placopsis were determined at four sites of different ages and estimates of N2‐fixation m−2 day−1 are computed.