Recent advances in the investigation of Antarctic macroalgae

Abstract

 The paper summarizes our present knowledge of Antarctic macroalgae with regard to the following topics: explorative history of Antarctic macroalgae, the environment of macroalgae in the Antarctic, life histories and physiological anatomy, seasonal development, light demands and depth zonation, temperature demands and geographical distribution and the effect of desiccation, salinity and temperature on supra- and eulittoral algae. A baseline is visible, but much more work is necessary, especially to assess the susceptibility of macroalgae and coastal ecosystems in Antarctica to global climatic changes.