Skip to main content

Soils of Graham and Palmer Lands, Antarctic Peninsula

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Soils of Antarctica

Part of the book series: World Soils Book Series ((WSBS))

Abstract

This chapter deals with the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) exclusive of the South Shetland and South Orkney Islands, which will be considered in Chap. 13, and the Joinville and James Ross Island group along the east coast of the AP, which will be considered in Chap. 14. It is disconcerting that so few soil investigations have been conducted along the AP, especially in view of the rapid warming along the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), which is expanding the ice-free area. The WAP is unique from other areas in Antarctica, because of its relatively temperate climate and the strong influence that biology plays in soil-forming processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ainley DG, Nur N, Woehler EJ (1995) Factors affecting the distribution and size of pygoscelid penguin colonies in the Antarctic. The Auk 112:171–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen SE, Northover MJ (1967) Soil types and nutrients on Signy Island. Phil Trans Royal Soc London 252:179–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold RJ, Convey P, Hughes KA, Wynn-Williams DD (2003) Seasonal periodicity of physical factors, inorganic nutrients and microalgae in Antarctic fellfields. Polar Biol 26:396–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker PF (1982) The Cenozoic subduction history of the Pacific margin of the Antarctic Peninsula: ridge crest-trench interactions. J Geol Soc 139:787–801

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bentley MJ, Hodgson DA, Smith JA, Cofaigh CÓ, Domack EW, Larter RD, Roberts SJ, Brachfeld S, Leventer A, Hjort C, Hilledbrand C-D, Evans J (2009) Mechanisms of Holocene palaeoenvironmental change in the Antarctic Peninsula region. The Holocene 19:51–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beyer L, Bockheim JG, Campell IB, Claridge GGC (1999) Genesis, properties and sensitivity of Antarctic Gelisols. Antarctic Sci 11:387–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beyer L, Bolter M (2000) Chemical and biological properties, formation, occurrence and classification of Spodic Cryosols in a terrestrial ecosystem of East Antarctica (Wilkes Land). Catena 39:95–119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Birkenmajer K (1993) Geology of late Mesozoic magmatic rocks of Hope Bay, Trinity Peninsula (West Antarctica). Bull Polish Acad Sci, Earth Sci 41:49–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Blume HP, Beyer L, Kalk E, Kuhn D (2002) Weathering and soil formation. In: Beyer L, Bölter M (eds) Geoecology of Antarctic ice-free coastal landscapes. Ecological Studies, Heidelberg, pp 1–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Bockheim JG, Ugolini FC (1990) A review of pedogenic zonation in well-drained soils of the Southern Circumpolar Region. Quat Res 34:47–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bockheim J, Vieira G, Ramos M, López-Martínez J, Serrano E, Guglielmin M, Wilhelm K, Nieuwendam A (2013) Climate warming and permafrost dynamics in the Antarctic Peninsula region. Glob Planet Change 100:215–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bokhorst S, Huiskes A, Convey P, Aerts R (2007) Climate change effects on organic matter decomposition rates in ecosystems from the Maritime Antarctic and Falkland Islands. Glob Change Biol 13:2642–2653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chong CW, Convey P, Pearce DA, Tan IKP (2012) Assessment of soil bacterial communities on Alexander Island (in the maritime and continental Antarctic transitional zone). Polar Biol 20:387–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clapperton CM, Sugden DE (1983) Geomorphology of the Ablation Point massif, Alexander Island, Antarctica. Boreas 12:125–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Convey P, Smith RIL (2006) Responses of terrestrial Antarctic ecosystems to climate change. Plant Ecol 182:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Convey P, Hopkins DW, Roberts SJ, Tyler AN (2011) Global southern limit of flowering plants and moss peat accumulation. Polar Res 30:8929. doi:10.3402/polar.v300.8929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook AJ, Fox AJ, Vaughan DG, Ferrigno JG (2005) Retreating glacier fronts on the Antarctic Peninsula over the past half-century. Science 308:541–544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis RC (1981) Structure and function of two Antarctic terrestrial moss communities. Ecol Monog 51:125–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day TA, Ruhland CT, Xiong FS (2008) Warming increases aboveground plant biomass and C stocks in vascular-plant-dominated Antarctic tundra. Glob Change Biol 14:1827–1843

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewar G (1970) The Geology of Adelaide Island. Br Antarct Surv Bull 57:1–65

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Emslie SD, Fraser W, Smith RC, Walker W (1998) Abandoned penguin colonies and environmental change in the Palmer Station area, Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Antarct Sci 70:257–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Engelen A, Convey P, Hodgson DA, Worland MR, Ott S (2008) Soil properties of an Antarctic island site: implications for ecosystem development. Polar Biol 31:1453–1460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Everett KR (1976) A survey of the soils in the region of the South Shetland Islands and adjacent parts of the Antarctic Peninsula. Institute of Polar Studies, Rep. 58, Ohio State University, Columbus

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenton JHC, Smith RIL (1982) Distribution, composition and general characteristics of the moss banks of the maritime Antarctic. Br Antarct Surv Bull 51:215–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Fermani P, Mataloni G, Van de Vijver B (2007) Soil microalgal communities on an antarctic active volcano (Deception Island, South Shetlands). Polar Biol 30:1381–1393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frenot Y, Chown SL, Whinam J, Selkirk PM, Convey P, Skotnicki M, Bergstrom DM (2005) Biological invasions in the Antarctic: extent, impacts and implications. Biol Rev 80:45–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall BL, Koffman T, Denton GH (2010) Reduced ice extent on the western Antarctic Peninsula at 700–970 cal. yr B.P. Geology 38:635–638

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall K (1997) Observations on “cryoplanation” benches in Antarctica. Antarct Sci 9:181–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammer RD, Moyes AB (1982) Composition and origin of garnet from the Antarctic Peninsula Volcanic Group of Trinity Peninsula. J Geol Soc London 139:713–720

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heroy DC, Anderson JB (2005) Ice-sheet extent of the Antarctic Peninsula region during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)—Insights from glacial geomorphology. Geol Soc Am Bull 117:1497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooper PR (1960) The petrology of Anvers Island and adjacent Islands. Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey Scientific Rep No 34, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe J, Francis JE (2005) Metamorphosed palaeosols associated with Cretaceous fossil forests, Alexander Island. Antarct J Geol Soc Lond 162:951–957

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacka TH, Budd WF, Holder A (2004) A further assessment of surface temperature changes at stations in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean, 1949–2002. Ann Glaciol 39:331–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson JS, Everest J, Leat PT, Golledge N (2012) The deglacial history of NW Alexander Island, Antarctica, from surface exposure dating. Quat Res 77:273–280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawley B, Ripley S, Bridge P, Convey P (2004) Molecular analysis of geographic patterns of eukaryotic diversity in Antarctic soils. Appl Environ Microbiol 70:5963–5972

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martín-Serrano A, Montes M, Nozal F, del Valle RA (2005) Geomorfología de la costa austral de Bahía Esperanza (Península Antártica). Geogaceta 38:95–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin PJ, Peel DA (1978) The spatial distribution of 10 m temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula. J Glaciol 20:311–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslen NR, Convey P (2006) Nematode diversity and distribution in the southern maritime Antarctic—clues to history? Soil Biol Biochem 38:3141–3151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGraw JB, Day TA (1997) Size and characteristics of a natural seed bank in Antarctica. Arctic Alpine Res. 29:213–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michel R, Schaefer C, Dias LE, Simas F, Benites VM, Sá Mendonça E (2006) Ornithogenic Gelisols (Cryosols) from maritime Antarctica: pedogenesis, vegetation, and carbon studies. Soil Sci Soc Am J 70:1370–1376

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mulvaney R, Abram NJ, Hindmarsh RC, Arrowsmith C, Fleet L, Triest J, Sime LC, Alemany O, Foord S (2012) Recent Antarctic Peninsula warming relative to Holocene climate and ice-shelf history. Nature 489:141–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myrcha A, Tatur A (1991) Ecological role of the current and abandoned penguin rookeries in the land environment of the maritime Antarctic. Polish Polar Res. 12:3–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Pereira TTC, Schaefer CEGR, Ker JC, Almeida CC, Almeida ICC, Pereira AB (2013a) Genesis, mineralogy and ecological significance of ornithogenic soils from a semi-desert polar landscape at Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Geoderma 210:98–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira TTC, Schaefer CEGR, Ker JC, Almeida CC, Almeida ICC (2013b) Micromorphological and microchemical indicators of pedogenesis in Ornithogenic Cryosols (Gelisols) of Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Geoderma 194:311–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pietr SJ, Tatur A, Myrcha A (1983) Mineralization of penguin excrements in the Admiralty Bay region (King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica). Polish Polar Res 4:97–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Quintana RD, Cirelli V, Orgeira JL (2000) Abundance and spatial distribution of bird populations at Cierva Point, Antarctic Peninsula. Mar Ornith 28:21–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts SJ, Hodgson DA, Bentley MJ, Sanderson DCW, Milne G, Smith JA, Verleyen E, Balbo A (2009) Holocene relative sea-level change and deglaciation on Alexander Island, Antarctic Peninsula, from elevated lake deltas. Geomorphology 112:122–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudolph ED (1965) Lichens and vascular plants: their significance. Bioscience 15:285–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer CEGR, Simas FNB, Albuquerque-Filho MR, Michel RFM, Viana JHM, Tatur A (2004) Fosfatização: processo de formação de solos na Baía do Almirantado e implicações ambientais. In: Schaefer, C.E.G.R., M.R., Francelino, F.N.B., Simas, Albuquerque-Filho, M.R. (eds.) Ecossistemas Costeiros e Monitoramento Ambiental da Antártica Marítima, Baía do Almirantado, Ilha Rei George. Viçosa: NEPUT – Dep. de Solos, pp 47–59

    Google Scholar 

  • SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research 2002. Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 148. Mount Flora, Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula

    Google Scholar 

  • SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (2003a) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 117. Avian Island, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. SCAR Bull 150:15–25

    Google Scholar 

  • SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (2003b) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 107. Emperor Island, Dion Islands, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. SCAR Bull 150:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (2004) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 113. Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbour, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago. SCAR Bull 156:7–9

    Google Scholar 

  • SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (2006) Management plan for Antarctic specially protected Area No. 134. Cierva Point and Offshore Islands, Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula

    Google Scholar 

  • SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (2012a) Management plan for Antarctic specially protected Area No. 115. Lagotellerie, Island, Marguerite Bay, Graham Land

    Google Scholar 

  • SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (2012b) Management plan for Antarctic specially protected Area No. 148. Rothera Point, Adelaide Island

    Google Scholar 

  • Simas FNB, Schaefer CEGR, Melo VF, Albuquerque-Filho MR, Michel RFM, Pereira VV, Gomes MRM, Costa LM (2007) Ornithogenic cryosols from maritime Antarctica: phosphatization as a soil forming process. Geoderma 138:191–203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simas FNB, Schaefer CEGR, Albuquerque-Filho MR, Francelino MR, Fernandes Filho EI, Costa LM (2008) Genesis, properties and classification of cryosols from Admiralty Bay, Maritime Antarctica. Geoderma 144:116–122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith RIL (1996) Terrestrial and freshwater biotic components of the western Antarctic Peninsula. In: Ross RM, Hofmann EE, Quetin LB (eds) Foundations for ecological research west of the Antarctic Peninsula. AGU, Washington DC, pp 15–59

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Smith RIL (2005) Bryophyte diversity and ecology of two geologically contrasting Antarctic islands. J Bryol 27:195–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith RIL (1982) Plant succession and re-exposed moss banks on a deglaciated headland in Arthur Harbour, Anvers Island. Br Antarct Surv Bull 51:193–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith RC, Stammerjohn SE (2001) Variations of surface air temperature and sea-ice extent in the western Antarctic Peninsula region. Ann Glaciol 33:493–500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soil Survey Staff (2010) Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 11th edn. USDA-NRCS, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss SL, Ruhland CT, Day TA (2009) Trends in soil characteristics along a recently deglaciated foreland on Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Biol 32:1779–1788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatur A (1989) Ornithogenic soils of the maritime Antarctic. Polish Polar Res 10:481–532

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner J, Bindschadler R, Convey P, Prisco G, Fahrbach E, Gutt J, Hodgson DA, Mayewski PA, Summerhayes CP (2009) Antarctic climate change and the environment. International Journal of Climatology. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Ugolini FC (1972) Ornithogenic soils of Antarctica. Am Geophys Union 20:181–193

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan DG, Marshall GJ, Connolley WM, King JC, Mulvaney R (2001) Devil in the detail. Science 293:1777–1779

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan DG, Marshall GJ, Connolley WM, Parkinson C, Mulvaney R, Hodgson DA, King JC, Pudsey CJ, Turner J (2003) Recent rapid regional climate warming on the Antarctic Peninsula. Clim Change 60:243–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Volkman J, Trivelpiece W (1981) Nest-site selection among adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins in mixed species rookeries. Wilson Bull 93:243–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Yergeau E, Bokhorst S, Huiskes AHL, Boschker HTS, Aerts R, Kowalchuk GA (2007a) Size and structure of bacterial, fangal and nematode communities along an Antarctic environment gradient. FEMS Microbial Ecol 59:436–451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yergeau E, Newsham KK, Pearce DA, Kowalchuk GA (2007b) Patterns of bacterial diversity across a range of Antarctic terrestrial habitats. Environ Microbiol 9:2670–2682

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yermolin E, Silva-Busso A (2007) Termokarst Y Aguas Subterráneas en Bahia Esperanza, Penisula Antarctica. Investigaciones Antárticas-VI Argentine and III Latin-American Symposium on Antarctica Research. Instituto Antártico Argentino, 10–14 Sept

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to James Bockheim .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Haus, N., Schaefer, C.E.G.R., Bockheim, J., Pereira, T.T.C. (2015). Soils of Graham and Palmer Lands, Antarctic Peninsula. In: Bockheim, J. (eds) The Soils of Antarctica. World Soils Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05497-1_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics