Long-term exposure of Boeckellagibbosa (Copepoda, Calanoida) to in situ levels of solar UVB radiation

1. The freshwater calanoid copepod Boeckella gibbosa is typical of high elevation lakes and ponds in Patagonia (Argentina). Previous studies have shown that this species is highly tolerant to short-term exposure to natural and artificial UVB radiation, and that its tolerance is due to photoreactivation by longer wavelength radiation. In this study, we investigate the potential sublethal effects of solar radiation after prolonged exposure.
2. We incubated B. gibbosa at 1 m depth in oligotrophic Lake Toncek for 24 days. The incubation chambers were 1.2 l acrylic cylinders covered with appropriate filters in order to obtain three radiation treatments: visible radiation only, visible radiation + UVA and visible radiation + UVA + UVB.
3. The three treatments did not differ significantly in variables considered as indicators of survival (number of individuals), reproduction (proportion of ovigerous females, clutch size) and development (instar composition). Although resistance to solar UVB radiation is certainly a requisite to live in transparent high elevation habitats, the fact of being effectively exposed to natural levels of UVB radiation does not seem to have measurable consequences on an already adapted species, such as B. gibbosa     

Long-term exposure of Boeckellagibbosa (Copepoda, Calanoida) to in situ levels of solar UVB radiation

1. The freshwater calanoid copepod Boeckella gibbosa is typical of high elevation lakes and ponds in Patagonia (Argentina). Previous studies have shown that this species is highly tolerant to short-term exposure to natural and artificial UVB radiation, and that its tolerance is due to photoreactivation by longer wavelength radiation. In this study, we investigate the potential sublethal effects of solar radiation after prolonged exposure.
2. We incubated B. gibbosa at 1 m depth in oligotrophic Lake Toncek for 24 days. The incubation chambers were 1.2 l acrylic cylinders covered with appropriate filters in order to obtain three radiation treatments: visible radiation only, visible radiation + UVA and visible radiation + UVA + UVB.
3. The three treatments did not differ significantly in variables considered as indicators of survival (number of individuals), reproduction (proportion of ovigerous females, clutch size) and development (instar composition). Although resistance to solar UVB radiation is certainly a requisite to live in transparent high elevation habitats, the fact of being effectively exposed to natural levels of UVB radiation does not seem to have measurable consequences on an already adapted species, such as B. gibbosa     

Effects of temperature and solar radiation interactions on the survival of quiescent conidia of the entomopathogenic hyphomycetePaecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown and Smith

The detrimental effect of solar radiation on the survival of conidia of the entomopathogenic fungusPaecilomyces fumoroseus was studied by monitoring germinability and ability to form colonies (CFU) of conidia irradiated at two temperatures, 25 and 35 °C, harmless to shaded conidia. There was no apparent effect when spores were exposed to a high level of artificial radiation (0.66 W m^–2 UVB). However, at a lower level of irradiance (0.33 W m^–2), effects of radiation occurred more quickly at 35 °C than at 25 °C. Under natural solar radiation, the rate of decrease in germinability or viability was doubled at 35 °C as compared to 25 °C, indicating an interaction between temperature and radiation effects under natural conditions. This interaction was not detected in indoor experiments, indicating that the spectral distribution of UV radiation has to be taken in account as well as its irradiance when studying its effects.Abbreviations CFU Colony Forming Units - UTC Universal Time Coordinates - UVB Ultra Violet B radiation (280–320 nm)     

Photosynthesis of two Arctic macroalgae under different ambient radiation levels and their sensitivity to enhanced UV radiation

The change in optimal quantum efficiency (F _v/F _m) of the Arctic species Laminaria saccharina and Palmaria palmata was investigated in a long-term experiment in situ under different radiation levels during the summer of 1997 in the Kongsfjord (Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen, Norway, 78°55.5′N, 11°56.0′E). Whole plants were incubated in an open box system made of UV-transparent Perspex and exposed to solar radiation (λ>295?nm), solar radiation excluding UVB (λ?>?320?nm) and solar radiation excluding UVA?+ UVB (λ?>?400?nm). Increasing radiation levels were simulated by transplantation of the pre-adapted algae from their growth depth at 2?m to a water depth of 1?m. Sensitivity to artificially increased UV radiation was determined by exposure of algae from the three treatments to 6?h of strong UV radiation. P. palmata was relatively insensitive to increasing UV radiation and recovered very fast and almost completely in 2?h. Even plants pre-cultured in ambient radiation levels excluding UVA?+?UVB or UVB only showed no photoinhibition after exposure to extra UV radiation in the laboratory. L. saccharina was, in comparison to P. palmata, more sensitive and showed photoinhibition under solar radiation and solar minus UVB radiation after transplantation from 2 to 1?m water depth. However, after 3?weeks at 1?m depth, F _v/F _m of L. saccharina was equal in all treatments and restored to the original values at the start of the experiment. Sensitivity to extra UV radiation in the laboratory increased in time, although recovery was also fast and occurred within 20?h.     

Differential responses to UVR by bacterioplankton and phytoplankton from the surface and the base of the mixed layer

SUMMARY 1. We tested the influence of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and shallow stratification on phytoplankton and bacterioplankton from the surface and the base of the mixed layer in two boreal lakes in north-western Ontario, Canada.
2. We measured phytoplankton biomass and production, bacterioplankton production and plankton respiration after transplantation under three solar radiation treatments: ambient radiation (Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) + ultraviolet-A (UVA) + ultraviolet-B (UVB)), minus UVB (PAR + UVA) and PAR only. We repeated this experiment on three occasions in each lake during the summer.
3. Solar stress (measured as reduced growth and photoinhibition) was generally only found in the 'base phytoplankton' (i.e. originating from the base of the mixed layer). No inhibition of photosynthesis by UVB exposure was found in near-surface phytoplankton. On the other hand, production of near-surface bacterioplankton was reduced following a 4-h UVR exposure but had increased after a 48-h exposure to both UVA and UVB compared with the PAR only treatment.
4. Negative effects of UVR on phytoplankton and bacterioplankton were not ubiquitous. We emphasise the importance of conducting experiments repeatedly, particularly those which test the effects of UVR on different community assemblages from different lakes.     

Evaluation of melanin-related metabolites as markers of solar ultraviolet-B radiation

Ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation due sunlight can result in sunburns and/or suntans. Sunburn occurs only several hours after solar UVB radiation, while a suntan requires several days to several weeks to develop. In the present study, we measured serum and urine levels of melanin-related metabolites, 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) and 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (6H5MI2C), in nine subjects exposed to normal sunlight over the course of 12 months. We collected samples in the middle of each month and examined the variation of the markers, the correlation between them, and their correlation with solar UVB radiation. Those markers exhibited a seasonal variation with lower values in the winter and higher values in the summer. Levels of 5-S-CD and 6H5MI2C in the serum showed 48% and 54% increases in the summer compared with those in the winter, respectively. Comparison of 5-S-CD in the serum and urine showed the highest correlation (r2 = 0.344), followed by the pair of 5-S-CD and 6H5MI2C in the serum. Levels of 5-S-CD in the serum showed the highest correlation (r2 = 0.729) with the mean solar UVB radiation during the first 10 d of the month, while 6H5MI2C in the serum was highly correlated (r2 = 0.483) with solar UVB radiation during the previous month. Levels of 5-S-CD and 6H5MI2C in the serum appear to reflect the degrees of skin injury and pigmentation in the skin, respectively.     

RecA Expression in Response to Solar UVR in the Marine Bacterium Vibrio natriegens

Solar ultraviolet radiation may produce daily stress on marine and estuarine communities as cells are damaged and repair that damage. Reduction in the earth's stratospheric ozone layer has increased awareness of the potential effects that ultraviolet radiation may have in the environment, including how marine bacteria respond to changes in solar radiation. We examined the use of the bacterial RecA protein as an indicator of the potential of bacteria to repair DNA damage caused by solar UV irradiation using the marine bacterium Vibrio natriegens as a model. RecA is universally present in bacteria and is a regulator protein for the so-called Dark Repair Systems, which include excision repair, postreplication recombinational repair, and mutagenic or SOS repair. Solar UVB and UVA both reduced V. natriegens viability in seawater microcosms. After exposure to unfiltered solar radiation or radiation in which UVB was blocked, survival dropped below 1%, whereas visible light from which UVA and UVB had been filtered had no effect on survival. Using a RecA-specific antibody for detection, RecA protein was induced by solar radiation in a diel pattern in marine microcosms conducted in the Gulf of Mexico. Peak induction was observed at dusk each day. Although RecA expression was correlated with the formation of UVB-induced cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers, longer wavelength UVA radiation also induced recA gene expression. Our results demonstrate that RecA-regulated, light-independent repair is an important component in the ability of marine bacteria to survive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation and that RecA expression is a useful monitor of bacterial repair after exposure to solar UVR.     

Effect of solar ultraviolet radiation on survival of krill larvae and copepods in Antarctic Ocean

The effect of solar ultraviolet radiation on the survival rate of Antarctic zooplankton was examined in February–March in 2002. We investigated survival rate of calyptopis larvae of Euphausia superba and late copepodite stages (IV and V) of large dominant calanoid species, Calanoides acutus and Calanus propinquus reared in quartz jars with three different radiation regimes (total radiation, exclusion of UVB, exclusion of UVA and UVB) and a dark control. The survival rates of the krill larvae decreased after 3 days from start of the experiment, being below 50% at 4 days in the treatments with total radiation and exclusion of UVB, although most individuals could survive until the end of the experiments in the treatments with exclusion of both UVA and UVB and dark control. The calanoid juveniles showed almost same pattern of survival curves as the krill larvae did, but survived slightly longer. Although >10% of surface UVA radiation at 340 and 380 nm penetrated down to 30 m, both C. acutus and C. propinquus were mostly distributed above 20 m. Surface swarm of the krill larvae can be often recognized in the previous studies. These results suggest that not only solar UVB but also UVA radiation potentially lower the survival rate of Antarctic zooplankton at depth less than 20 m.     

Inhibition of epidermal Langerhans cell function by low dose ultraviolet B radiation. Ultraviolet B radiation selectively modulates ICAM-1 (CD54) expression by murine Langerhans cells.

Immunosuppressive effects of low levels of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on cutaneous immune responses have been attributed to deleterious effects of UVB radiation on epidermal Langerhans cells (LC). To determine how UVB radiation modulates LC function we examined the effect of in vitro UVB exposure on LC accessory cell activity and surface phenotype. Exposure of BALB/c murine epidermal cells to low dose (less than or equal to 200 J/m2) UVB radiation in vitro inhibited their ability to support the mitogenic response of unstimulated, accessory cell-depleted splenic T cells to anti-CD3 mAb. LC accessory cell activity was also inhibited when LC were exposed to UVB radiation in situ, although several-fold higher doses of UVB radiation were required to achieve complete inhibition of LC function. This dose-dependent inhibition was mediated through a direct effect on LC that could not be reversed by IL-1 or IL-6 alone or in combination, or granulocyte-macrophage-CSF. TNF-alpha did not inhibit LC accessory cell function in this assay and anti-TNF-alpha neutralizing antibodies did not reverse the inhibitory effects of UVB radiation. UVB irradiated LC failed to participate in the anti-CD3-dependent clustering that normally occurs between T cells and LC during the proliferative response of murine T cells to anti-CD3 mAb, suggesting that UV radiation may interfere with accessory cell function by preventing intercellular adhesion. Two-color flow cytometric studies revealed low levels of the ICAM-1 on freshly isolated LC and some keratinocytes. ICAM-1 expression on LC increased 15 to 20-fold within the first 24 h in vitro and continued to increase during a 72-h culture period. The integrin LFA-1 was not identified on freshly isolated or cultured LC but was detected on responding T cells. Prior exposure of LC to UVB radiation (50 or 100 J/m2) inhibited the increase in ICAM-1 expression that normally occurs in vitro by up to 70% whereas surface levels of class II MHC Ag, CD45 and Fc-gamma receptors were not affected. Blocking studies revealed that anti-CD3 induced T cell proliferation and T cell-LC cluster formation was inhibited by both anti-LFA-1 and anti-ICAM-1 mAb suggesting that ICAM-1 expressed on LC must bind to LFA-1 on T cells to facilitate proliferative responses of T cells to anti-CD3 mAb. We conclude that the in vitro inhibitory effects of low dose UVB radiation on LC accessory function may result because UVB radiation prevents upregulation of ICAM-1 expression by LC in culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of UVB radiation on freshwater autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton in a subalpine lake

The effects of UVB radiation on the activity of heterotrophic (HPP) and autotrophic (APP) picoplankton (0.2-2 m) and of autotrophic assemblages >2 m has been measured and compared. Under natural UVB irradiance in a large, deep, oligotrophic subalpine lake (Lago Maggiore, 4555N) with mean dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations of 1 mg Cl^-1, the microorganisms of the two size fractions were not significantly photoinhibited in their autotrophic and heterotrophic activities. The vertical attenuation coefficient (Kd) for irradiance at 305 nm ranged from 1.45 to 1.67 during spring and summer. The mixing layer extended to a greater depth than the layer affected by UVB radiation (z1% < zmix), thus enabling the microorganisms living there to photoadapt. As the assimilation numbers of APP and nanoplankton were higher at 2 m depth than near the surface, we suspected that the influence of longer wavelength (UVA, photosynthetically active radiation) could be stronger than UVB in affecting the photosynthetic efficiency of natural populations. The artificial increase in UVB irradiance had a higher detrimental effect on HPP due to their smaller size, less protection and indirect effects through autotrophic cell inhibition. Picocyanobacteria were percentually more affected by UVB than nanoplankton during April due to the presence of diatoms, which are more resistant than other algal groups to solar UVB irradiance. Furthermore, picocyanobacteria had lower assimilation numbers with respect to larger phytoplankton in the quartz tubes during stratification.      

An in situ enclosure experiment to test the solar UVB impact on plankton in a high-altitude mountain lake. I. Lack of effect on phytoplankton species composition and growth

The effect of solar UVB radiation on the growth and speciescomposition of phytoplankton from a high-mountain lake (2417m a.s.l.) was studied in situ for 16 days in two enclosuresof 1 m receiving either full sunlight or sunlight without UVB.A total of 20 species were identified in both enclosures, consistingmainly of dinoflagellates, chrysophytes and diatoms. Duringthe experiment, there were no significant differences in phytoplanktonspecies composition between the two enclos ures. In both treatments,the abundance of phytoplankton increased continuously, and chlorophylla changed by -5-fold. We observed high fluctuations in the abundanceof several species. However, these fluctuations occurred inboth enclosures, and hence they were not related to UVB radiation.Some species were affected by daily fluctuations of radiation(UVA + photosynthetically active radi ation). Cyclotella aff.gordonensis showed a robust positive correlation, whereas speciesof Gymno dinium were negatively correlated. For most species,the sensitivity to radiation found during the experiment wasconsistent with their diurnal vertical distribution in the lake.Our findings suggest that the phytoplankton from this very clearlake (10% of the surface UVB radiation at 305 nm reached 9.6m depth) were well adapted to the high UVB radiation charactensticof high-elevation sites.     

Distribution and repair of bipyrimidine photoproducts in solar UV-irradiated mammalian cells. Possible role of Dewar photoproducts in solar mutagenesis

In order to better understand the relative contribution of the different UV components of sunlight to solar mutagenesis, the distribution of the bipyrimidine photolesions, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), (6-4) photoproducts ((6-4)PP), and their Dewar valence photoisomers (DewarPP) was examined in Chinese hamster ovary cells irradiated with UVC, UVB, or UVA radiation or simulated sunlight. The absolute amount of each type of photoproduct was measured by using a calibrated and sensitive immuno-dot-blot assay. As already established for UVC and UVB, we report the production of CPD by UVA radiation, at a yield in accordance with the DNA absorption spectrum. At biologically relevant doses, DewarPP were more efficiently produced by simulated solar light than by UVB (ratios of DewarPP to (6-4)PP of 1:3 and 1:8, respectively), but were detected neither after UVA nor after UVC radiation. The comparative rates of formation for CPD, (6-4)PP and DewarPP are 1:0.25 for UVC, 1:0. 12:0.014 for UVB, and 1:0.18:0.06 for simulated sunlight. The repair rates of these photoproducts were also studied in nucleotide excision repair-proficient cells irradiated with UVB, UVA radiation, or simulated sunlight. Interestingly, DewarPP were eliminated slowly, inefficiently, and at the same rate as CPD. In contrast, removal of (6-4)PP photoproducts was rapid and completed 24 h after exposure. Altogether, our results indicate that, in addition to CPD and (6-4)PP, DewarPP may play a role in solar cytotoxicity and mutagenesis.     

Central corneal thickness considered an index of corneal hydration of the UVB irradiated rabbit cornea as influenced by UVB absorber

UVB radiation from sunlight induces an acute corneal inflammation, photokeratitis, accompanied by changes in corneal hydration. We employed a method of ultrasonic pachymetry for daily examination of central corneal thickness as an index of corneal hydration of the rabbit cornea repeatedly irradiated by UVB radiation (312 nm, daily dose of 0.25 J/cm(2) during three or four days) as influenced by UVB absorber (actinoquinol combined with hyaluronic acid) dropped on the ocular surface during irradiation. One day after the third irradiation procedure the animals were sacrificed and corneas examined immuno-histochemically for peroxynitrite formation, a marker of oxidative damage, the antioxidant aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme generated nitric oxide. Results show that UV absorber combined with hyaluronic acid protected the cornea against UVB-induced changes in corneal thickness and microscopical disturbances to the cornea (both seen after buffered saline application) until the fourth experimental day. These UVB doses are equivalent to a daily exposure of 2.5 hrs of the human cornea to solar UVB radiation for three consecutive days. It is suggested that actinoquinol/ hyaluronic acid drops might be helpful for the human eye in the defence against photooxidative and other oxidative processes.     

Influence of ultraviolet-B radiation on the drift response of stream invertebrates

1. Recent studies have shown that ultraviolet (UV) radiation (280–400 nm) has increased by ≈ 8% in temperate regions over the past decade, but little effort has been devoted to understanding the ecological effects on temperate ecosystems. This research examined the effects of artificial ultraviolet-B (UVB; 280–320 nm) radiation on the drift response of immature stream insects in laboratory microcosms.
2. Two experiments involved natural populations of stream invertebrates, collected from the Cache la Poudre River (September 1994) and the Arkansas River (October 1995) in Colorado. UVB lamps were turned on from 10.00 to 14.00 h each day, and drifting animals were collected on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 during the exposure period. Levels of artificial UVB used in these experiments were similar to levels that stream organisms experience during clear, mid-day conditions at Fort Collins, Colorado (longitude 105°30'; latitude 40°35').
3. Drift was significantly higher in microcosms exposed to UVB than in controls and was dominated by Baetis sp. (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae), Trichoptera (caddisflies) and Simulium sp. (Diptera: Simuliidae). The increased drift of some stream invertebrates in UVB-exposed streams may be a behavioural response and/or a result of injury.
4. Stream organisms may be particularly sensitive to predicted increases in UV radiation, because streams are generally shallow with clear water. As a result of this potential sensitivity, we recommend that research be directed to understanding the ecological effects of UV radiation on these habitats.     

Influence of ultraviolet-B radiation on the drift response of stream invertebrates

1. Recent studies have shown that ultraviolet (UV) radiation (280–400 nm) has increased by ≈ 8% in temperate regions over the past decade, but little effort has been devoted to understanding the ecological effects on temperate ecosystems. This research examined the effects of artificial ultraviolet-B (UVB; 280–320 nm) radiation on the drift response of immature stream insects in laboratory microcosms.
2. Two experiments involved natural populations of stream invertebrates, collected from the Cache la Poudre River (September 1994) and the Arkansas River (October 1995) in Colorado. UVB lamps were turned on from 10.00 to 14.00 h each day, and drifting animals were collected on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 during the exposure period. Levels of artificial UVB used in these experiments were similar to levels that stream organisms experience during clear, mid-day conditions at Fort Collins, Colorado (longitude 105°30'; latitude 40°35').
3. Drift was significantly higher in microcosms exposed to UVB than in controls and was dominated by Baetis sp. (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae), Trichoptera (caddisflies) and Simulium sp. (Diptera: Simuliidae). The increased drift of some stream invertebrates in UVB-exposed streams may be a behavioural response and/or a result of injury.
4. Stream organisms may be particularly sensitive to predicted increases in UV radiation, because streams are generally shallow with clear water. As a result of this potential sensitivity, we recommend that research be directed to understanding the ecological effects of UV radiation on these habitats.     

Sensitivity of rice to ultraviolet-B radiation

BACKGROUND: Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer leads to an increase in ultraviolet-B (UVB: 280-320 nm) radiation reaching the earth's surface, and the enhanced solar UVB radiation predicted by atmospheric models will result in reduction of growth and yield of crops in the future. Over the last two decades, extensive studies of the physiological, biochemical and morphological effects of UVB in plants, as well as the mechanisms of UVB resistance, have been carried out. SCOPE: In this review, we describe recent research into the mechanisms of UVB resistance in higher plants, with an emphasis on rice (Oryza sativa), one of the world's most important staple food crops. Recent studies have brought to light the following remarkable findings. UV-absorbing compounds accumulating in the epidermal cell layers have traditionally been considered to function as UV filters, and to play an important role in countering the damaging effects of UVB radiation. Although these compounds are effective in reducing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) induction in plants exposed to a challenge exposure to UVB, certain levels of CPD are maintained constitutively in light conditions containing UVB, regardless of the quantity or presence of visible light. These findings imply that the systems for repairing DNA damage and scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for plants to grow in light conditions containing UVB. CONCLUSION: CPD photolyase activity is a crucial factor determining the differences in UVB sensitivity between rice cultivars. The substitution of one or two bases in the CPD photolyase gene can alter the activity of the enzyme, and the associated resistance of the plant to UVB radiation. These findings open up the possibility, in the near future, of increasing the resistance of rice to UVB radiation, by selective breeding or bioengineering of the genes encoding CPD photolyase.     

Evaluation of melanin‐related metabolites as markers of solar ultraviolet‐B radiation

Ultraviolet‐B (UVB) radiation due sunlight can result in sunburns and/or suntans. Sunburn occurs only several hours after solar UVB radiation, while a suntan requires several days to several weeks to develop. In the present study, we measured serum and urine levels of melanin‐related metabolites, 5‐S‐cysteinyldopa (5‐S‐CD) and 6‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyindole‐2‐carboxylic acid (6H5MI2C), in nine subjects exposed to normal sunlight over the course of 12 months. We collected samples in the middle of each month and examined the variation of the markers, the correlation between them, and their correlation with solar UVB radiation. Those markers exhibited a seasonal variation with lower values in the winter and higher values in the summer. Levels of 5‐S‐CD and 6H5MI2C in the serum showed 48% and 54% increases in the summer compared with those in the winter, respectively. Comparison of 5‐S‐CD in the serum and urine showed the highest correlation (r² = 0.344), followed by the pair of 5‐S‐CD and 6H5MI2C in the serum. Levels of 5‐S‐CD in the serum showed the highest correlation (r² = 0.729) with the mean solar UVB radiation during the first 10 d of the month, while 6H5MI2C in the serum was highly correlated (r² = 0.483) with solar UVB radiation during the previous month. Levels of 5‐S‐CD and 6H5MI2C in the serum appear to reflect the degrees of skin injury and pigmentation in the skin, respectively.     

Solar UVB and warming affect decomposition and earthworms in a fen ecosystem in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Combined effects of co-occurring global climate changes on ecosystem responses are generally poorly understood. Here, we present results from a 2-year field experiment in a Carex fen ecosystem on the southernmost tip of South America, where we examined the effects of solar ultraviolet B (UVB, 280–315 nm) and warming on above- and belowground plant production, C : N ratios, decomposition rates and earthworm population sizes. Solar UVB radiation was manipulated using transparent plastic filter films to create a near-ambient (90% of ambient UVB) or a reduced solar UVB treatment (15% of ambient UVB). The warming treatment was imposed passively by wrapping the same filter material around the plots resulting in a mean air and soil temperature increase of about 1.2 °C. Aboveground plant production was not affected by warming, and marginally reduced at near-ambient UVB only in the second season. Aboveground plant biomass also tended to have a lower C : N ratio under near-ambient UVB and was differently affected at the two temperatures (marginal UVB × temperature interaction). Leaf decomposition of one dominant sedge species ( Carex curta ) tended to be faster at near-ambient UVB than at reduced UVB. Leaf decomposition of a codominant species ( Carex decidua ) was significantly faster at near-ambient UVB; root decomposition of this species tended to be lower at increased temperature and interacted with UVB. We found, for the first time in a field experiment that epigeic earthworm density and biomass was 36% decreased by warming but remained unaffected by UVB radiation. Our results show that present-day solar UVB radiation and modest warming can adversely affect ecosystem functioning and engineers of this fen. However, results on plant biomass production also showed that treatment manipulations of co-occurring global change factors can be overridden by the local climatic situation in a given study year.