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Microscale biopitting by the endolithic lichen Verrucaria baldensis and its proposed role in mesoscale solution basin development on limestone
Author(s) -
McIlroy de la Rosa John P.,
Warke Patricia A.,
Smith Bernard J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.2244
Subject(s) - microscale chemistry , mesoscale meteorology , lichen , structural basin , geology , weathering , coalescence (physics) , geomorphology , earth science , ecology , oceanography , astrobiology , biology , mathematics education , mathematics
Data are reported demonstrating the potential role of microscale morphologies, induced by endolithic lichen communities, specifically Verrucaria baldensis , in the initiation and development of mesoscale solution basin formation on limestone in the Burren, County Clare. A biophysical model is proposed outlining the different microscale stages leading to solution basin initiation with a progression from initial lichen colonization and growth, associated perithecial biopitting followed by biopit coalescence to form biotroughs, their subsequent enlargement and eventual incipient solution basin formation. This model provides one explanation for solution basin development as this end state may also be achieved through simple solutional means without biological input. The complexity of interactions at the lichen–rock interface are identified with emphasis on the spatial and temporal variability of these underlining the point that, as with macrotopographies at the landscape scale, rock surface microtopographies also reflect historical weathering legacies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.