Effects of increased UV-B radiation on the lichen Cladonia arbuscula spp. mitis: UV-absorbing pigments and DNA damage
Lichens, a form of symbiosis between a fungal and a photosynthetic partner, are believed to be a group that evolved early in the history of terrestrial life. As a consequence, they probably experienced higher ultraviolet (UV) radiation fluxes than at present. However, in the last two decades, due to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, increasing levels of ultraviolet-B radiation (280-3