Impact of fertilisation on phenol content and growth rate of Cladina stellaris: a test of the carbon-nutrient balance hypothesis

Responses of concentrations of usnic (UA) and perlatolic (PA) acids and the relative growth rate (RGR) of a mat-forming lichen, Cladina stellaris, to enhanced N and P input were studied in a fertilisation experiment. It was predicted on the basis of carbon-nutrient balance (CNB) hypothesis that the concentrations of these phenolics would decline and the growth rate increase in response to increased nutrient uptake. The concentration of UA showed a convex response pattern to increased N input whereas the concentration of PA was non-responsive. An ecologically realistic, "moderate", N treatment clearly lowered the level of UA both with and without the P application. Applying P alone caused a significant increase in the level of UA. The RGR of C. stellaris did not respond to nutrient addition. The results indicate that even though the CNB hypothesis may be applicable in explaining concentrations of lichen secondary metabolites, it may be applied under a relatively narrow set of conditions. Especially inherited constraints in the growth of lichen fungi may seriously limit the responsiveness of lichens to short-time changes in the availability of resources. These limitations may also apply to other perennials adapted to nutrient-poor conditions.