Abstract
Benthic algal forests in Antarctic freshwater lakes, are known as one of the most luxuriant vegetation types across the full range of lake and terrestrial ecosystems in continental Antarctica. During summer ice-free conditions, the benthic algae were exposed to high levels of PAR and UV, because of the low concentration of UV absorbing materials (e.g. DOC) and the continuous solar radiation. Photosynthesis measurements and pigments analyses revealed that, in addition to the high contents of pigments and protective-substances in the surface layer of the communities, the pigments changed the functions such as "photo-protection, light-harvesting, light-regulation" in response to changes in the light environment. With this strategy, the benthic algae allowed the growth and survival by using the possible light energy while preventing from death during a short but strong light and UV summer, and they were concerned to develop in the Antarctic ecosystem.
