Thor, Göran
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
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 Treaty; environmental monitoring; lichen diversity; SWEDARP; terrestrial vegetation
Published in
Antarctic Science
2008, volume: 20, number: 2, pages: 115-121
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102007000855
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/23851