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Stability and endemicity of benthic diatom assemblages from different substrates in a maritime stream on Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, Antarctica: the role of climate variability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2013

Sergi Pla-Rabes ,
Manuel Toro ,
Bart Van De Vijver ,
Carlos Rochera ,
Juan Antonio Villaescusa ,
Antonio Camacho  and
Antonio Quesada
Sergi Pla-Rabes*
Affiliation:
CSIC-CEAB, Biogeodynamics and Biodiversity group, C/ Carrer Acces Cala St Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Girona, Spain CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, E-08193, Catalonia, Spain
Manuel Toro
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudios Hidrográficos, CEDEX, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Bart Van De Vijver
Affiliation:
National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Department of Bryophyta & Thallophyta, Domein van Bouchout, B-1860 Meise, Belgium
Carlos Rochera
Affiliation:
Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva & Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Universitat de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
Juan Antonio Villaescusa
Affiliation:
Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva & Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Universitat de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
Antonio Camacho
Affiliation:
Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva & Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Universitat de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
Antonio Quesada
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin, 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

Diatom assemblages from four different substrates from a stream on Byers Peninsula were analysed during the summer. The substrate type was the main factor explaining the variability in the diatom assemblages. Sandy biofilms showed a higher diversity and a greater number of endemic species. Two main hydrological regimes were observed: 1) a hydrologically unstable period with high variability in stream flow and successive freezing and thawing periods, 2) a late summer hydrologically stable period, characterized by low stream velocity and variability. The structure of the diatom communities was different between the two hydrological periods, although the substrate modulated the difference. The diatom assemblages showed low similarity among the substrates and high dominance of endemic species during early summer. The late summer community showed high dominance of motile cosmopolitan species on all substrate types. As the length of both hydrological regimes would ultimately be driven by climatic variability, the predicted climate warming could reduce overall stream diversity. Hence, subtle changes could alter the length of both hydrological periods. The relationship between diatom species association with different substrates and hydrological regimes could be relevant for tracking past climate variability using diatom palaeorecords.

Keywords

climate changecommunity turnoverdisturbanceepilithonhydrologyspecies association
Type
Research Articles
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 25 , Issue 2: Byers Peninsula – A New Reference Site For The Maritime Antarctic , April 2013 , pp. 254 - 269
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2013

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