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Lichen species density and abundance over ten years in permanent plots in inland Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2008

Per Johansson  and
Göran Thor
Per Johansson*
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7002, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Göran Thor
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7002, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
*
*[email protected]
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Abstract

In the austral summer of 1991–92, 120 sample plots were established along 11 transects at various distances from the Swedish research stations Wasa and Svea in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. These plots were re-examined in 2001–02 to evaluate overall changes and possible local impact from human activities around the research stations on the terrestrial vegetation, formed by lichens and mosses. The results showed high consistencies over the ten years, but nevertheless suggest a slight overall increase in both lichen species density and abundance, measured as the number of lichen records. We did not find evidence for any severe human impact on the lichens and mosses around the research stations. However, sample plots located close to the Svea station had been affected by station maintenance, which has caused local decline of lichen species such as Umbilicaria decussata. In contrast to the overall consistency and slight increase in lichens we found a decline of Rhizoplaca melanophthalma.

Keywords

Antarctic Treatyenvironmental monitoringlichen diversitySWEDARPterrestrial vegetation
Type
Life Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , April 2008 , pp. 115 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2008

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