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Lichen and moss communities of Botany Bay, Granite Harbour, Ross Sea, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2010

Rodney D. Seppelt ,
Roman Türk ,
T.G. Allan Green ,
Gerald Moser ,
Stefan Pannewitz ,
Leo G. Sancho  and
Burkhard Schroeter
Rodney D. Seppelt*
Affiliation:
Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia
Roman Türk
Affiliation:
Universität Salzburg, Fachbereich Organismische Biologie, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
T.G. Allan Green
Affiliation:
Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand
Gerald Moser
Affiliation:
Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia
Stefan Pannewitz
Affiliation:
Botanisches Institut, Universität Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany, and Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 62, D-24098 Kiel, Germany
Leo G. Sancho
Affiliation:
Dpto. Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Burkhard Schroeter
Affiliation:
Botanisches Institut, Universität Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany, and Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 62, D-24098 Kiel, Germany
*
rod.seppelt@aad.gov.au
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Abstract

Botany Bay is one of the richest sites for lichen and bryophyte biodiversity in continental Antarctica. A total of 29 lichen, nine moss and one liverwort species have been identified. The most extensive vegetation occurs on a sheltered raised beach terrace. Vegetation associations are described and compared to other continental Antarctic localities that also possess a rich vegetation cover. Ordination analysis clearly indicates the importance of the type of water supply, its regularity, the substrate type, and particularly in Botany Bay, the influence of nutrients derived from the local bird population in governing plant distribution and associations. A vegetation map has been produced and can be used as a baseline to assess vegetation changes over time.

Keywords

biodiversityclimate changecryptogamsvegetation associationsVictoria Land
Type
Research Article
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 22 , Special Issue 6: The Latitudinal Gradient Project (LGP) , December 2010 , pp. 691 - 702
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2010

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