0–6.3 W m−2

UV-A; PAB: 55 μmol photons m−2 s−1 PAR + 7.3–9.2 W m−2 UV-A + 0.4–0.5 W m−2 UV-B), according to the methodology described by Karsten et al. (2007). The data clearly indicated that growth, photosynthesis and respiration were not affected by both UV-A and UV-B, and were even slightly stimulated (Fig. 1), indicating a high UVR tolerance. Fig. 1 The effect of PAR+UV-A and PAR+UV-A/B on growth, photosynthesis, respiration, and the capability to synthesize and accumulate UV-sunscreen GS-9973 solubility dmso compounds in the alpine biological soil crust green alga Klebsormidium dissectum strain ASIB V103. This species was isolated at 2,363 m a.s.l. (Pitschberg, St. Ulrich ATM inhibitor in Gröden, South Tyrol, Italy). The physiological responses are expressed as relative percentages in relation to the control (PAR, 100 %) If BSC algae are confronted with UVR in their natural habitats, they rely on several different strategies to mitigate or even prevent biologically harmful UV-effects and assure long-term survival. These include avoidance, numerous protective mechanisms, and repair of DNA, which is demonstrated in a summary scheme (Fig. 2). BSC algae typically

occur in a matrix of polymeric organic and inorganic substances, and in association with other organism groups. In BSC of North American deserts, green algae occupy microenvironments within the crust matrix, where they are protected from damaging radiation levels and exposure to drying atmosphere (Gray et al. 2007). cAMP These data clearly show that self-shading

by surrounding cells or filamentous algae inside BSCs is an important protective mechanism. Under natural conditions the filamentous BSC green alga Klebsormidium often forms multi-layered mat-like structures on top of or interwoven with the upper millimeters of soil, which contribute to a high degree of self-shading as a passive photoprotective mechanism (“umbrella”) for individual filaments inside such a population (Karsten et al. 2010). Similarly, in the semi-terrestrial green algal genus Zygnema, thick mat-like layers survive experimentally generated high UVR to PAR ratios by self-shading (Holzinger et al. 2009; Pichrtová et al. 2013). In addition, the formation of spores and other permanent click here stages (such as akinetes) may contribute to coping with enhanced UVR (for summary see Holzinger and Lütz 2006). Fig. 2 Strategies of alpine biological soil crust algae to counteract biologically harmful UV radiation and dehydration The response of any alga to UV-B exposure is determined by the interplay of genetically fixed adaptation and physiological acclimation (Bischof et al. 2006). While the UVR-tolerance mechanisms of marine algae are very well studied, adequate data on alpine BSC algae are still missing.