Photochemical efficiency of amphibious plants in an intermittent lake

During the six month dry period in the intermittent lake Cerknica in 2003, fluorescence parameters in 14 amphibious plants were measured to estimate the possible disturbance to photosystem II. Environmental changes due to intermittence caused no evident irreversible damage, since the potential photochemical efficiency of the majority of species and forms remained close to the optimal value at 0.83. Actual photochemical efficiency varied, showing different levels of temporary stress. Sudden submergence of aerial forms caused little disturbance to PS II. The results revealed the acclimation of plants thriving in intermittent habitats that enabled continuous harvesting of solar energy.