Abstract
This paper presents a comparative study of moss diversity in three collection sites in the South Shetland Islands (King George, Elephant, and Nelson Islands) and one in the Antarctic Continent (Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula). In the King George, Elephant, and Nelson Islands, the collections were done in ice-free areas during the austral summers of years 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1994. In Hope Bay, the collections were done in the 2009 summer (February). All collections were deposited in the HCB (Chaves Batista Herbarium). The King George Area is the most diverse area and the Hope Bay has the lowest diversity stats. The diversity stats for each region and the similarities between both are presented. This results suggested that harder climatic conditions determine lower diversity for the bryoflora.
Highlights
The Antarctic Continent is the fifth larger continent in extension, with about 13.7 millions of km2
The highest species number and the individual occurrence for each species in King George Island are probably associated to the climatic conditions
Victoria and Pereira (2007) showed that the highest temperatures and weak winds were found in the Admiralty Bay, generating a distinct microclimate in this area, in comparison to the rest of the island, and can be reflecting in higher plant diversity in this area
Summary
The Antarctic Continent is the fifth larger continent in extension, with about 13.7 millions of km2 It is a continent of extremes, since it is the higher, colder, drier, strong winds and remote continent (Machado and Brito, 2006). The Antarctic flora is composed mainly of bryophytes and lichen species adapted to short summers and low temperatures (Putzke and Pereira 2001) Such climatic conditions inhibit the reproductive cycle, limiting the diversity and the gene pool, especially for flowering plants (Pereira and Putzke 1994). This paper presents a comparative study of moss diversity in three collection sites in the South Shetland Islands (King George, Elephant, and Nelson Islands) and one in the Antarctic Continent (Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula). Conclusion: This results suggested that harder climatic conditions determine lower diversity for the bryoflora
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