Abstract
The distribution and frequency of bryophyte and lichen vegetation on ice-free regions of the Windmill Islands are presented using data derived from aerial photography and ground surveying. The qualitative and quantitative plant cover of sites are listed and related to the topography and major soil characteristics of each site. The richest associations of macrolichens and bryophytes occurred on the metamorphic northern peninsulas. Species richness and frequency was generally reduced on the charnockitic southern peninsula and the islands which have been deglaciated longer. Salinity varied significantly throughout the region with the highest levels in the northern islands reflecting the presence of penguin colonies. In such sites bryophytes and lichens were virtually absent. Wind blown sea-spray contributed far less salts than direct excretion from penguins. On the peninsulas snow cover and site exposure appeared to delimit plant distribution. Higher salt levels from sea-spray on the northern aspects of the peninsulas seemed to have negligible impact on vegetation patterns with the possible exception ofBiatorella cerebriformis which was encountered only inland. The total phosphorus and nitrogen levels of the skeletal soils were generally low except in eutrophic sites adjacent to penguin colonies. The vegetation patterns are discussed in terms of the climate, topography and species autecology.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashton D. H. & Webb R. N. 1977. The ecology of granite outcrops at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. Austr. J. Ecol. 2: 269–96.
Binkley D. & Vitousek P. 1989. Soil nutrient availability. In: Pearcy R. W., Ehleringer J., Mooney H. A. & Rundel P. W. (eds). Plant Physiological Ecology, pp. 75–92. Chapman & Hall, London.
Blight D. F. & Oliver R. L. 1977. The metamorphic geology of the Windmill Islands, Antarctica: a preliminary account. J. Geol. Soc. Austr. 24: 239–262.
Broady P. A. 1982. Ecology of non-marine algae at Mawson Rock, Antarctica. Nova Hedw. 36: 209–229.
Broady P. A. 1989. Broadscale patterns in the distribution of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation at three ice-free regions on Ross Island, Antarctica. Hydrobiol. 172: 77–95.
Emteryd O. 1989. Chemical and physical analysis of inorganic nutrients in plant, soil, water and air. Sveriges Lantbruskuniverstet, Umea.
Filson, R. B. 1966. The lichens and mosses of Mac.Robertson Land. ANARE Sci. Rep. 82. Ser. B2.
Goodwin, I. D. 1993. Holocene deglaciation, sea level change and the emergence of the Windmill Islands, Budd Coast, Antarctica. Quaternary Res. (In press).
Hale M. E. 1987. Epilithic lichens in the Beacon Sandstone formation, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Lichenologist 19: 2269–2287.
Hancock R. J. & Seppelt R. D. 1988. Habitat specificity and morphological variation in two antarctic Usnea species. Polarforschung 58: 285–291.
Holdgate M. W., Allen S. E. & Chambers M. J. G. 1967. A preliminary investigation of the soils of Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Brit. Antarc. Surv. Bull. 12: 53–71.
Inoue M. 1989. Factors influencing the existence of lichens in the ice-free areas near Syowa Station, East Antarctica. Proc. NIPR Symp. Polar Biol. 2: 167–180.
Kappen L. 1985. Vegetation and ecology of ice-free areas of Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. 1. The lichen vegetation of Birthday Ridge and an inland mountain. Polar Biol. 4: 213–225.
Kappen L., Meyer M. & Bölter M. 1990. Ecological and physiological investigations in continental Antarctic cryptogams. I. Vegetation pattern and its relation to snow cover on a hill near Casey station, Wilkes Land. Flora, 184: 209–220.
Karasawa S. & Fukushima H. 1977. Diatom flora and environmental factors in some fresh water ponds of East Ongul Island. Antarct. Rec. 59: 46–53.
Lindsay D. C. 1978. The role of lichens in Antarctic ecosystems. The Bryologist. 81: 268–276.
Longton R. E. 1988. Biology of polar bryophytes and lichens. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Matsuda T. 1968. Ecological study of the moss community and micro-organisms in the vicinity of Syowa Station, Antarctica. JARE Sci. Rep. Ser. E. 29: 1–58.
Murray, M. D. & Luders, D. J. 1990. Faunistic studies at the Windmill Islands, Wilkes Land, East Antarctica, 1959–80. ANARE Res. Notes 73.
Nakanishi S. 1977. Ecological studies of the moss and lichen communities in the ice-free areas of Syowa Station, Antarctica. Antarct. Rec. 59: 68–96.
Pickard J. 1986. Spatial relationships of the vegetation of the Vestfold Hills. In: Pickard J. (ed). Antarctic oasis: Terrestrial environment and the history of the Vestfold Hills, pp. 275–308. Academic Press, Sydney.
Pimentel R. A. & Smith J. D. 1985. BioΣtat I. Sigma Soft, Placentia, California.
Selkirk P. M. & Seppelt R. D. 1987. Species distribution within a moss bed in Greater Antarctica. Symp. Biol. Hung. 25: 279–284.
Seppelt R. D. 1986a. Bryophytes of the Vestfold Hills. In: Pickard J. (ed). Antarctic oasis: Terrestrial environment and the history of the Vestfold Hills, pp. 221–245. Academic Press, Sydney.
Seppelt R. D. 1986b. Lichens of the Vestfold Hills. In: Pickard J. (ed). Antarctic oasis: Terrestrial environment and the history of the Vestfold Hills, pp. 247–271. Academic Press, Sydney.
Seppelt R. D. & Ashton D. H. 1978. Studies on the ecology of the vegetation at Mawson Station, Antarctica. Austr. J. Ecol. 3: 373–388.
Seppelt R. D., Broady P. A., Pickard J. & Adamson D. A. 1988. Plants and landscape in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica. Hydrobiol. 165: 185–196.
Smith R. I. Lewis. 1978. Summer and winter concentrations of sodium, potassium and calcium in some maritime antarctic cryptogams. J. Ecol. 66: 891–909.
Smith R. I. Lewis. 1988. Classification and ordination of cryptogamic communities in Wilkes Land, Continental Antarctica. Vegetatio 76: 155–166.
Smith R. I. Lewis. 1990. Plant community dynamics in Wilkes Land, Antarctica. Proc. NIPR Symp. Polar Biol. 3: 229–244.
Syers J. K. & Iskandar I. K. 1973. Pedogenic significance of lichens. In: Ahmadjian V. & Hale M. E. (eds). The Lichens, pp. 225–248. Academic Press, New York.
Weaver J. E. & Clements F. E. 1938. Plant ecology. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Yamanaka M. & Sato K. 1977. Distribution of terrestrial plant communities near Syowa Station in Antarctica, with special reference to water supply and soil property. Antarct. Rec. 59: 54–67.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Melick, D.R., Hovenden, M.J. & Seppelt, R.D. Phytogeography of bryophyte and lichen vegetation in the Windmill Islands, Wilkes Land, Continental Antarctica. Vegetatio 111, 71–87 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045578
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045578