Sphagnum growth as an indicator of wavelength-specific UV-B penetration through the ozone layer

It follows from negative plant growth response that the solar UV-B wavelengths that penetrate the ozone layer (≥286 nm), in contrast to those absorbed (<286 nm), must leave growth inhibition fingerprints on plants. These fingerprints are expected from the growth of the Sphagnum genus, which are dominant in boreal and subarctic peatlands and have increased sensitivity to ambient UV-B. To test this hypothesis, we analysed the response of the daily...