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Entrapment of long-distance transported pollen grains by various moss species in coastal Victoria Land, Antarctica

Polar Biology volume 13, pages 81–87 (1993)Cite this article

Summary

In northern Victoria Land (continental Antarctica, between 72° and 76°S, 162° and 169°E), 18 moss samples have been collected and analysed for the presence of pollen. In turfs and cushions of 8 different moss species, at least 27 pollen taxa could be identified. The pinus-type pollen and those of grasses were very common. More than 60% of the total grains were damaged or could not be identified. There is evidence that the Antarctic continent could act as a sink for wind-transported pollen from sub-Antarctic islands or from plants (native or cultivated) in South America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. However, the pollen concentration in air (⩽ 1 pollen grain/100 m3) and its entrapment rate on moss (about 0.12 grain/cm2/year) result in a very low pollen density in these plants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Siena, Via delle Cerchia 3, I-53100, Siena, Italy

    H. F. Linskens, R. Bargagli, M. Cresti & S. Focardi

Authors
  1. H. F. Linskens
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  2. R. Bargagli
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  3. M. Cresti
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  4. S. Focardi
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Linskens, H.F., Bargagli, R., Cresti, M. et al. Entrapment of long-distance transported pollen grains by various moss species in coastal Victoria Land, Antarctica. Polar Biol 13, 81–87 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238539

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238539

Keywords

  • Pollen Concentration
  • Pollen Density
  • Moss Species
  • Moss Sample
  • Pollen Taxon