Flora and vegetation of Cape Hallett and vicinity, northern Victoria Land, Antarctica

Abstract

Cape Hallett (72°19 0 S; 170°13 0 E) lies at the northern end of the western coastline of the Ross Sea region, and, to date, there appears to be no full description of its terrestrial flora despite its probable importance in understanding links between biodiversity and latitude. Here we present information about lichens and mosses from published papers, herbarium collections and personal surveys for Cape Hallett and seven nearby sites. A total of 59 lichen and 11 moss species are reported for these eight sites. Cape Hallett is one of the richest sites for terrestrial biodiversity in the Ross Sea region with about 46 lichen species and nine species of bryophytes. Lichens have their greatest diversity on the upper scree and summit area (30 species, 330 m), the least within the large penguin colony at sea level (one species). The station at Cape Hallett was established in 1957, and some of the earliest ecological and ecophysiological studies in Antarctica were carried out there. Historical comparisons are possible and have revealed considerable changes in vegetation in the lower flush area, a high level of frost heave disturbance, new lichen growth rate estimates for northern Victoria Land and extreme stability of the snow banks on the scree slopes. Cape Hallett represents a very important site for studies on links between terrestrial flora and the environment as well as on possible effects of climate change.

Molecular Comparison among Three Antarctic Endemic Springtail Species and Description of the Mitochondrial Genome of Friesea gretae (Hexapoda, Collembola)

“…From a biodiversity and conservation standpoint, Cape Hallett is a significant area (ASPA No. 106) and hosts the richest terrestrial biodiversity in this region of the Ross Sea coastline, with about 46 lichen species, 9 bryophytes and 11 microarthropods [27,28]. Springtails are the dominant microarthropod group, being present at densities two to three orders of magnitude greater than mites [29].…”

Diversity of algae and lichens in biological soil crusts of Ardley and King George islands, Antarctica

“…The lichen diversity (21 species) of the King George and Ardley islands represent a subset of the 110 species reported by Sancho et al (1999) in their survey of all habitats on Livingston Island. Floristic studies from Victoria Land also revealed a high lichen diversity of 29 (Seppelt et al 2010), 54 (Cannone & Seppelt 2008) and even 59 species (Green et al 2015). There are indications that the species-richness of lichens varies based on latitudes, and hence it was suggested to subdivide Maritime and Continental Antarctica into different phytogeographical regions (Peat et al 2007).…”

“…2010), 54 (Cannone & Seppelt 2008) and even 59 species (Green et al . 2015). There are indications that the species-richness of lichens varies based on latitudes, and hence it was suggested to subdivide Maritime and Continental Antarctica into different phytogeographical regions (Peat et al .…”

What affects the probability of biological invasions in Antarctica? Using an expanded conceptual framework to anticipate the risk of alien species expansion

“…The primary production of Maritime Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems is extremely low, making autochthonous resources of biogenic substance minimal (Williams 1994;Hopkins et al 2014). Vegetation communities in this region depend largely on marine-derived biogenic substances (main vectors-marine birds and pinnipeds, Green et al 2015). The animal-mediated nutrient deposition creates spatially restricted over-fertilized sites (ornithogenic soils, Tatur et al 1997).…”

“…Typical for polar coastal oases, the most important limiting environmental factors are water and salinity stress (physiological drought and saline aerosols, Giełwanowska et al 2011). The Antarctic substratum is characterized by instability due to the exfoliation of rock surfaces and cryoturbation of soil and stones (e.g., Green et al 2015;Ochyra et al 2008), together with the presence of permafrost, solifluction or ablation, significantly limiting the development of terrestrial communities ). Specific Antarctic flora and fauna makes the food resources for potential heterotrophic invaders very different from their habitat of origin.…”