U. Matthes et al., Light attenuation by limestone rock and its constraint on the depth distribution of endolithic algae and cyanobacteria, INT J PL SC, 162(2), 2001, pp. 263-270
To understand how light attenuation in limestone rock constrains the distri
bution and abundance of endolithic photoautotrophic organisms, we examined
light-level profiles in 25 rock samples containing endolithic algae and cya
nobacteria. We collected samples from three representative cliff sites alon
g the Niagara Escarpment, Canada, using methods that allowed us to make com
parisons among as well as within sites. Photosynthetically active radiation
profiles were generated by manufacturing cavities in the bottom of thick s
labs of surface rock and enclosing radiation sensors in the cavities. The t
hickness of the flat layer of limestone between the sensor and a light sour
ce was then abraded in steps of ca. 0.5 mm. An exponential curve was fitted
to the measurements for each sample to allow statistical comparisons of th
e light levels at different depths. We examined the correlations between ph
ysical characteristics of the rock and light attenuation and between light
attenuation and the maximum depth, relative biomass, and taxonomic richness
of endolithic algae and cyanobacteria. The depth at which 0.01% of availab
le light remained varied from 2.1 to 4.5 mm at different sites, but there w
as large within-site variability on intermediate and small spatial scales.
In contrast, the maximum depth of photoautotrophic endoliths was homogeneou
s within sites but different among sites (1.1-3.5 mm). Although the endolit
hs all have access to light, there was no significant correlation between t
he limit of their depth penetration and threshold quantum flux densities, i
ndicating that the mechanisms controlling distribution and abundance of end
olithic photoautotrophs are as complicated as those found for aquatic algae
and cyanobacteria.