Moss Cushions Research Articles

<p><strong>Moss inhabiting flea beetles of the West Indies IV: new species of <em>Andersonaltica </em>Linzmeier and Konstantinov from the Dominican Republic (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini)</strong></p>

Two new species of bryobiont flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) from Dominican Republic are described and illustrated: Andersonaltica neiba sp. nov. (Sierra de Neiba) and A. villabarrancoli sp. nov. (Sierra de Baoruco). New species are compared morphologically with each other. Unusual intraspecific variability of A. villabarrancoli is reported. To obtain additional data in understanding the similarities between the specimens of A. villabarrancoli, we sequenced the Cytochrome oxidase I barcode region of adults and larvae. In all cases, the sequences are identical suggesting that the specimens in questions are conspecific. Key words: Bryobionts, COI barcodes, flea beetles, Monoplatina, moss cushions, species boundaries

Taiwanoshaira Lee & Beenen, a new genus and first record of moss-inhabiting Galerucinaesensu stricto (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) from Taiwan.

Taiwanoshaira Lee & Beenen gen. nov. is described. It represents the first genus of Galerucinae (s. str.) in Taiwan documented to inhabit moss cushions. Shaira chujoi Kimoto, 1982 is transferred to Taiwanoshaira, as follows: T. chujoi (Kimoto), comb. nov. Two new species, T. taipingshanensissp. nov. and T. tsouisp. nov., are described. Adults of T. taipingshanensissp. nov. were observed feeding on the moss species Plagiomnium vesicatum (Besch.) T.J. Kop. (Mniaceae). Microhabitats and distribution of Taiwanoshaira species are discussed.

A novel procedure for quantitative regional paleoclimatic reconstruction using surface pollen assemblages

Since the inception of pollen analysis, climatic reconstruction using fossil pollen records has been one of its major applications. However, modern pollen-climate relationships have been mainly established using surface soil pollen assemblages (including moss cushions and trap samples), and pollen assemblages from the surface sediments of lakes (and peatlands) have been used less frequently. Previous studies have indicated that surface soil pollen assemblages are derived from a single (local) plant community, with an additional contribution from the regional vegetation, whereas pollen assemblages from the surface sediments of lakes are derived from multiple plant communities within the watershed. This may lead to substantial uncertainties in the application of surface soil pollen assemblages to establishing pollen-climate relationships for use in paleoclimate reconstructions using fossil pollen records from lake sediment cores. Here, we present a novel procedure for quantitative regional paleoclimatic reconstruction using a regional integration method which attempts to resolve mismatches between surface soil pollen assemblages and surface lake sediment pollen assemblages. Principal Co-ordinates Analysis (PCoA) of pollen assemblages from surface lake sediments and surface soils, and regional integrated pollen assemblages indicates that the composition of regional integrated pollen assemblages and surface lake sediment pollen assemblages is very similar. However, the integrated optimal scales of surface soil pollen assemblages are various between different lakes. Based on the regional integrated pollen dataset, reconstructed mean annual temperature and annual precipitation for different lakes in North China are close to modern observations, suggesting that the dataset has great potential for quantitative regional paleoclimatic reconstruction.

Comparing pollen data from moss cushions and a volumetric sampler: the study in the city of Florence (Italy)

In Italy, aerobiological monitoring is usually carried out by the regional agencies for environmental protection (ARPA [Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale]) using volumetric samplers. Another widespread method for the study of airborne pollen is the analysis of moss cushions, generally used to relate pollen rain to flora and vegetation. In this study, we compare the data coming from these two pollen monitoring methods: volumetric samplers and moss cushions. The study was carried out in the city of Florence (Italy) and took into consideration two different spans of time. The two pollen monitoring methods show quantitative and qualitative differences. The main discrepancy seems to be the direct consequence of the different preservation time of the grains in the moss cushions depending on the features of the pollen grains. The study also provides an estimate of the period of pollen accumulation and preservation in moss cushions, which turned out to be more than five years. The two sampling methods furnish complementary information; volumetric samplers especially suited for aerobiological studies and moss cushions for environmental and palaeobotanical research.

Drought resistance does not explain epiphytic abundance of accidental epiphytes

ABSTRACT Background Accidental epiphytism is common among vascular plants in forest ecosystems around the globe. A frequent observation in surveys of accidental epiphytes is the occurrence of few species with high epiphytic abundance, while most co-occurring terrestrial species are rarely found as epiphytes. Aims Based on the general assumption that water is the major limiting factor for epiphytic plants, we hypothesised that differences in drought resistance of accidental epiphytes explain the difference in epiphytic abundances. Methods We exposed 16 species with different epiphytic abundance in central Europe to experimentally induced drought during germination and growth of juvenile plants. Results Drought resistance differed substantially among species but did not correlate with their epiphytic abundance, neither during germination nor during juvenile growth. Conclusions In central Europe, accidental epiphytes are usually found on moss cushions or in accumulated arboreal soil on their host tree. In such water-storing substrates, water availability might be less limiting than it is for obligate epiphytes that typically grow on bare bark, which would explain the lack of a correlation between drought resistance and epiphytic abundance of the studied species. Hence, other factors must explain the consistent differences in epiphytic abundance, e.g. dispersal traits and mass effect.

Microscopic fungi of lithobiont communities of Argentine Islands Region: Data from the 22nd Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition

The identification of the diversity of microscopic fungi of lithobiont communities of the Argentine Islands in specimens collected during the 22nd Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition was the purpose of this work. Samples of rock, soil, mosses and lichens of rock micro-habitats of “Crustose lichen sub-formation and fruticose lichen and moss cushion sub-formation” were used in the work. These samples were used for extracting and cultivation of filamentous fungi on dense nutrient media. Determination of physiological and biochemical characteristics and identification of yeast-like fungi were performed using a microbiological analyser ‘Vitek-2’ (‘Bio Merieux’, France). Cultivation of microorganisms was carried out at temperatures from +2 to +37 °C. In results cultures of microscopic fungi of Zygomycota (Mucor circinelloides), Ascomycota (species of the genera cf. Tlielebolus, Talaromyces), representatives of the Anamorphic fungi group (Geomyces pannorum, species of the genera Alternaria, Acremonium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium) were isolated from Antarctic samples. Microscopic fungi Penicillium spp. were dominated after the frequency in the studied samples (54.5%). Rhodotorula rubra and Candida sp. among isolated yeast fungi, and dark pigmented fungi represented by Aureobasidium pulhdans and Exophiala spp. were identified. The biological properties of a number of isolated fungi (the potential ability to synthesise important biologically active substances: melanins, carotenoids, lipids) are characterised. Mycobiota of rock communities of Argentine Islands is rich on filamentous and yeast fungi similarly to other regions of Antarctica. A number of fungi investigated are potentially able to synthesise biologically active substances. The dark pigmented species of the genera Cladosporium, Exophiala, Aureobasidium pulhdans, capable of melanin synthesis; ‘red’ yeast Rhodotorula rubra (carotenoid producers and resistant to toxic metals); Mucor circinelloides and Geomyces pannorum, lipid producers, are among these fungi. Yeast-like fungi assimilated a wide range of carbohydrates, which will allow them to be further used for cultivation in laboratory and process conditions. The collection of technologically promising strains of microorganisms, part of the Culture Collection of Fungi at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine), is updated with isolated species (strains) of filamentous fungi and yeast – potential producers of biologically active substances, obtained within this study.

Cupressaceae pollen: new data about diffusion, record and preservation

Cupressaceae is one of the most widespread families in the Mediterranean region, widely used as ornamental trees both in cities and extra urban areas. The family is also known to produce a considerable amount of pollen grains. Nevertheless, Cupressaceae pollen is generally scarce in sediments and it is attested to be one of the most underrepresented pollen in ancient spectra. Cupressaceae pollen diffusion was detected by means of two sampling methods: moss cushions, which are able to accumulate pollen grains for several successive years, and volumetric sampler, which records the airborne pollen day by day. The study was conducted in the city of Florence (Italy), repeating moss samplings at the same sites for three times. The comparison between the two sampling methods revealed the low preservation of this pollen type and suggested that even low quantities of this pollen may indicate the local presence of the source plants. In order to test the contribution of the local pollen sources to the background of the airborne pollen, the pollen content of moss cushions was also related to the number of Cupressaceae plants surroundings each sampling site. The results indicate a noticeable influence of the plants growing in a short-range distance.

Seasonality and Small Spatial-Scale Variation of Chlorophyll a Fluorescence in Bryophyte Syntrichia ruralis [Hedw.] in Semi-Arid Sandy Grassland, Hungary.

Bryophytes face challenges due to global climate change which is leading to in-depth research in monitoring and studying their photosynthetic activity. The aim of this preliminary experiment was to study the seasonal variation trend in the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, Fv/Fm (ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence), photochemical fluorescence quenching (qP), photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPS II), fluorescence quenching (qN), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), in the moss cushions of Syntrichia ruralis [Hedw.] collected from semi-arid sandy dunes for two slopes i.e., north-east (NE) and south-west (SW) direction. Our results showed a seasonal and small-spatial scale variation trend in all chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. These variations are due to different seasonal conditions referring to different degrees of environmental stress. ΦPS II and qP values were maximum in winter and in spring seasons while Fv/Fm, NPQ and qN were maximum in summer. Based on the different exposition of dunes, the SW slope showed increased values of the effective quantum yield of PS II and qP in comparison to the NE slope due to the optimal microclimate conditions for their expansion. These results may refer to the future changing in diversification and coverage of the Syntrichia species in semi-arid sandy grassland due to more effective metabolism in the beneficial microclimatic conditions.

Facilitation of vascular plants by cushion mosses in high-Andean communities

Mosses are a dominant ground cover in a wide array of ecosystems, especially in those developing under cold-stressed environments such as arctic and alpine ice-melting glacial forelands. Consequently, mosses may influence the performance and distribution of other plants. Here, we assessed the nature of interactions between vascular plants and cushion-forming mosses in three alpine communities in the northern Patagonian Andes. We recorded species richness, plant abundance and cover of vascular plants within and outside moss cushions, measuring also patch area and moss layer depth. To determine the effect of mosses on vascular plant assemblages, we calculated the relative interaction index (RII) in terms of richness, abundance and cover of all vascular plants, and of individual species. Moss-cushion patches showed higher species richness, plant abundance and cover in comparison with bare ground areas. Overall, the diversity of vascular plants increased with both moss-cushion area and layer depth. Species-specific RII values revealed that the effects of moss cushions on neighboring vascular plants were predominantly positive for all three plant communities surveyed. These results highlight the role of mosses as nurse plants in alpine ice-melting glacial forelands and, thus, as ecosystem engineers that can be key in maintaining vascular plant diversity.

Surface pollen distribution from Akhnoor of Jammu District (Jammu and Kashmir), India: implications for the interpretation of fossil pollen records

The present study aims to document modern pollen assemblages and compare them with the extant vegetation, through palynological analysis of 40 modern moss cushions, from the Akhnoor sector of Jammu District (Jammu and Kashmir), India. The study revealed that the pollen of Pinus sp. (average 62%) dominates the pollen assemblages. The over-representation of Pinus pollen could be attributed to its high pollen productivity and excellent pollen dispersal capacity. However, other conifers (needle-leaved taxa) as well as broad-leaved taxa, with a few exceptions, are either sporadically recorded or remain palynologically silent (present in the extant vegetation but absent in the recovered pollen assemblages). This discrepancy could be owing to their long-distance transport by wind and/or water from the upland areas/the higher reaches of the Himalaya. Tubuliflorae, Cerealia and other cultural pollen taxa, and Poaceae, are well to poorly represented in the pollen assemblages. The associates of sub-tropical deciduous forests are poorly represented in the pollen spectra because they are not wind pollinated nor are they high pollen producers. The extant vegetation of the sampling location in Akhnoor of Jammu province plays a pivotal role in the present study, which has important implications for the interpretation of vegetation dynamics and associated climate change during the Holocene on the Indian subcontinent.

Dispersal Distance and Burial Mode of Acorns in Eurasian Jays Garrulus glandarius in European Temperate Forests

Dispersal distance and burial mode of acorns are two of the most important characteristics in renewal processes of oaks that result from the food hoarding ecology of the Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius. To obtain the dispersal distance and to locate precisely the caches with scattered acorns we used radio-tracked transmitters with flexible 13 cm long sticking out antennae injected into drilled acorns. From mid-September to mid-October acorns of Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur with transmitters were mixed with untagged acorns and exhibited on five feeders distributed from each other at a distance of at least 1.3 km (max. 3.8). We obtained information on 121 tagged acorns scattered by Jays in two consecutive years (2014 — 42 records, 2015 — 79 records). For both seasons, mean dispersal distance was 115.7 metres (SE = 9.2). The maximum detected distance was 456 m, the minimum was 3 m. Most of the acorns (52.6%) were deposited by Jays up to 100 m from the source. Dispersal distance differed significantly between the two years of research and between feeders. Mean dispersal distance was much higher in 2014 (166 m, N = 42) than in 2015 (86 m, N = 72) and differed between seasons while the seed crop was similar and low. Only four acorns (3.5%) were found on the litter with no signs of hiding, which suggests accidental loss during transport (dyszoochory). Most of the cached acorns (44.6%) were deposited in the Scots Pine Pinus silvestris litter or moss cushions no deeper than 0.5 cm. The additional covering of caches with pieces of bark or leaves were noted accidentally in nine cases (9.8%).

A preliminary study of the modern pollen of Tripura, Northeast India

The vegetation distribution in Tripura, Northeast India was studied from the modern pollen assemblages at various sites in the region. Sediment samples and moss cushions were collected along transects from North to South Tripura to assess the modern pollen taxa dominant in the region. A number of taxa showing a modern day distribution of moist deciduous mixed vegetation dominant in Tripura were observed in the modern pollen data. Statistical significance of the modern–pollen data was verified using one–way ANOVA technique. Despite the limited pollen taxa recorded in the surface samples the analysis proved the potential of the pollen data and scope for future palynological studies. The impact of anthropogenic activity is clearly visible through the low sample yield and presence of taxa such as Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, Solanaceae, etc. Other factors such as entomophilous tendency and/or low yield of pollen in tropical plants, excessive rainfall, sediment distribution and jhum cultivation could contribute to the lack of pollen preservation in the region.

Hydrological and thermal properties of moss and lichen species on rock barrens: Implications for turtle nesting habitat

AbstractIn central Ontario, Canadian Shield rock barrens are a dominant geographic feature supporting at‐risk reptiles near their northern range limit. To better understand the characteristics of the organic soil that make Canadian Shield rock barrens suitable turtle nesting habitat, we measured moisture retention and evaporative potential and calculated the thermal properties of lichen (Cladonia) mats and moss (Sphagnum and Polytrichum) cushions, as well as their underlying mineral–organic soils. The upper soil profile consisted almost entirely of low density (14–49 kg m−3), high porosity (72–98%) organic matter (loss on ignition [LOI] of 84–99%), which transitioned rapidly to comparatively high density (304–815 kg m−3) mineral–organic soil (LOI of 10–85%). In contrast to Sphagnum and Cladonia, under laboratory conditions, Polytrichum was able to maintain an evaporation rate well above the open‐water potential for several days during a drying experiment. Overall, contrasts in composition and water retention between soil layers are likely to dampen diurnal temperature fluctuations. However, differences in potential water loss between species will have a direct impact on soil thermal dynamics, particularly if substantial water loss occurs in the mineral–organic layer. Because soil depth and temperature regulation by moisture content and soil composition are an important component of nesting habitat, this research provides evidence for the need to conserve moss/lichen‐dominated habitats within turtle species' home ranges. Understanding the ecohydrological controls and limits to how these key moss/lichen species develop and influence primary peat formation represents a critical research need for habitat restoration strategies.

Bryolithochemical studies in the search for and evaluation of gold-silver mineralization based on stream sediments (northeastern Russia)

The first bryolithochemical studies have been carried out within the Dukat ore field (Balygychan-Sugoi trough, northeastern Russia), in its northeast (Dukat Au-Ag deposit, Chaika site) and on its eastern flank (Au-Ag ore occurrence, Piritovyi site). Sampling was made along primary water streams draining Au-Ag ore zones, because the headstreams localized in the permafrost zone are poor in alluvial sediments or lack them, whereas the stream banks and beds are overgrown with aquatic and semiaquatic mosses. We examined samples of moss cushions with loose sediments (fine silt suspension and sand-silt material). The study has shown that moss cushions are an effective natural trap extracting finely dispersed, ultradisperse, and colloid-dispersed particles, including ore ones, from water stream suspension. The contents of major elements indicating Au-Ag mineralization (Au, Ag, Hg, Sb, As, Pb, and Zn) in the bryolithochemical and lithochemical samples were compared. The highest contents of these elements have been revealed in the bryolithochemical samples. Scintillation analysis shows a predominance of finely dispersed Au and Ag particles. The chemical composition of lithoparticles and probable species of elements indicating mineralization were studied by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. It has been concluded that the bryolithochemical stream sediments are an integral part of the lithochemical ones and can also be effectively used to reveal geochemical anomalies and identify the corresponding ores. It is shown that the bryolithochemical sediment streams bear important information about the chemical composition of primary ores, as they have the same major indicator elements (Au, Ag, Hg, Sb, As, Pb, and Zn) and nearly the same mineral composition (finely dispersed gold and silver, electrum, silver sulfosalts, and simple sulfides). The proposed bryolithochemical research is promising not only for northeastern Russia but also for other areas with similar landscapes, primarily areas where lithochemical and bryolithochemical stream sediments form in the northern subarctic and arctic environments.

Organisms in wall ecosystems as biomonitors of metal deposition and bioavailability in urban environments.

Vegetated walls are common structures in urban environments, and aiming to test the hypothesis that the biogenic crusts and plant and animal communities inhabiting these vertical surfaces can be more reliable indicators of atmospheric metal deposition than plants or animals inhabiting urban soils, we analyzed the chemical composition of the wall crusts, moss cushions (Tortula muralis) and the shells, soft tissues and feces of the stonework snail Papillifera papillaris collected in three small towns in Tuscany (Central Italy). Crusts and mosses from the same stones or bricks indicated that Cd, Pb, and Zn are the main pollutants released by vehicular traffic, while Hg and Cu probably originate from other sources. The soft tissues of P. papillaris (purged of the gut contents) showed as well higher Cd, Pb, and Zn and lower Hg concentrations at more traffic-affected sites, while data from shells and feces suggested that this species probably ingests large amounts of Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb, and avoids eating mosses. Most lithophilic elements and Pb are scarcely absorbed in the snail digestive tract and soft tissues mainly accumulate Cd and essential elements such as Cu and Mn. This study definitively confirms the extraordinary Mn bioaccumulation in P. papillaris soft tissues and reports extraordinary Mn levels also in the shell. The shells also contain unusually high Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations and this bioaccumulation likely remains after death, potentially providing a historical record of the snail exposure to metals over lifetime.

Relationship between solar radiation and surface distribution of vegetation in Fildes Peninsula and Ardley Island, Maritime Antarctica

ABSTRACTThe aim of this work is to produce a simplified vegetation map of ice-free areas of the Fildes Peninsula (FP) and Ardley Island (AI) thought object-oriented classification using a QuickBird satellite image and to evaluate the influence of the global solar radiation (GSR) over the vegetation distribution. The vegetation data were generated from multiresolution segmentation using the panchromatic and infrared layers, and for the classification we calculated the normalized vegetative difference index (NVDI) and the green NVDI. Two classes were created – Lichen and Moss Cushion SubFormation and Moss Subformation – with 48 vegetation samples collected on surveys during the austral summers of 2008 and 2009. We used a kappa index to evaluate the classification efficiency using 100 sampled points obtained in austral summer of 2013. The GSR was estimated, and in order to evaluate the effect of meteorological phenomena and cloudless, we measured the GSR using a net radiometer model CNR4 installed in FP between 2014 and 2016. The estimate of GSR was done for seasons of 2015, in order to estimate the light compensation point and the saturation point for the plant communities in FP and AI. The kappa index was 0.73 and the global accuracy was 0.78, showing consistency between the classification and ground truth. The area was covered by vegetation in FP was 16.7% and in AI is 59.1%. The vegetation cover is distributed differently at FP and AI, and our results suggest GSR plays an important role in vegetation distribution and these tendencies could be related to greater GSR demand by mosses when compared to lichens.

Description of plant communities on Half Moon Island, Antarctica

ABSTRACTDuring February–March of the austral summers of 2013/14 and 2014/2015, fieldwork was performed on Half Moon Island, South Shetland Archipelago, Antarctica, to evaluate the distribution and abundance of mosses and lichens, as well as to describe and map the plant communities there. The quadrat (20 × 20 cm) sampling method was employed in a phytosociological study that aimed to describe these communities. The area was mapped using an Astech Promark II® DGPS, yielding sub-metric precision after post-processing with software. The number of species totalled 38 bryophytes, 59 lichens, only one flowering plant (Deschampsia antarctica Desv.), and two macroscopic terrestrial algae. Five types of plant communities were identified on the island, as follows: (1) fruticose lichen and moss cushion, (2) moss carpet, (3) muscicolous lichen, (4) crustose lichen and (5) moss turf.

Detecting the phylogenetic position of Bovista acuminata (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) by an ITS-LSU combined analysis: the new genus Bryoperdon and revisitation of Lycoperdon subgen. Apioperdon

Bovista a cuminata, a rare, scantily reported species so far known form Europe and the Americas, occupies an isolated position in Bovista on account of its minutely verrucose spores, habitus and growth on moss cushions covering fallen trunks or rocks. Since it has not yet been studied from a molecular perspective, it was decided to sequence two recent collections from Italy. Based on morphological and molecular data, the genus Bryoperdon is established for it and placed in Lycoperdaceae, where it is close to Apioperdon comb. et stat. nov., which encompasses the Lycoperdon pyriforme clade. The delimitation of the genera Bryoperdon and Apioperdon from each other and from allied taxa is also discussed.

Topographic and geomorphologic controls on the distribution of vegetation formations in Elephant Point (Livingston Island, Maritime Antarctica)

This article focuses on the spatial distribution of vegetation formations in Elephant Point, an ice-free area of 1.16km2 located in Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica). Fieldwork carried out in January 2014 consisted of floristic surveys and designation of a vegetation map. We have examined these data in a GIS environment together with topographical and geomorphological features existing in the peninsula in order to infer the factors controlling vegetation distribution. This has allowed quantifying the total area covered by the four different vegetation formations distributed across the peninsula, proliferating mainly on bedrock plateaus and Holocene raised beaches. Grass formation is essentially composed of Deschampsia antarctica, distributed almost exclusively on raised beaches, and covering 4.1% of the ice-free surface. The remaining three formations are fundamentally composed of cryptogam species. The first of which is fruticose lichen and moss formation, present on high bedrock plateaus and principally formed by lichens such as Usnea aurantiaco-atra. The next is the crustose lichen formation, spreading on bedrock plateaus near the coast populated by bird colonies. In this case, ornitocoprophilous lichens such as Caloplaca regalis, Xanthoria elegans and Haematomma erythromma are predominant. Together, both formations have colonised 5.1% of the peninsula. The last variety, moss carpet and moss cushion formation, occupies 1.4% of the deglaciated surface, spreading primarily in flooded areas, stabilised talus slopes, and bedrock plateaus as well. Therefore, the total surface colonised by vegetation is 12.2ha, which comprises 10.5% of the peninsula. Due to the retreat of the Rotch Dome glacier, 20.1ha remain ice-free since 1956 (17.3% of the deglaciated area). Ever since, even though the Antarctic Peninsula has registered one of the most significant temperature rises on Earth, vegetation has only colonised 0.04ha of this new space, which merely represents 0.3% of the vegetated area in Elephant Point.

Assembly processes of moss and lichen community with snow melting at the coastal region of the Barton Peninsula, maritime Antarctic

In this article, it was analyzed how snow melting affects the assembly of lichen and moss communities in a small area of the coastal region of Barton Peninsula, which is in maritime Antarctic. In the small area, even though there is a huge gap of difference of the environment between the snow-filled area and snow-melt one, the latter did not have distinctive environmental gradients. Depending on the snow melting time, coverage and species diversity of lichens and mosses tend to increase remarkably. For species with significant changes depending on the snow-covered period, there are Andreaea regularis, crustose lichens, Placopsis contortuplicata, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, and snow algae. In this area, the process of vegetation assembly process has shown the directional development in the order of snow algae→crustose, lichen sub-formation→fruticose lichen, moss cushion sub-formation (Andreaea sociation)→fruticose lichen, and moss cushion sub-formation (Usnea sociation), according to the order of snow melting. These directional development stages are shown in gradual change in small area with the snow melting phenomena. However, in the snow-free area, where water is sufficiently supplied, it is expected that moss carpet sub-formation (Sanionia sociation) will be developed. Vegetation development in the small area with the snow melting phenomena, depending on differences of resistance on snow kill and moisture settled by species in according to the time of snow melting, tolerance model to form community is followed. The research results explain the development of vegetation in the Antarctic tundra and its spatial distribution according to the period for growth of lichens and mosses in the summer time by differences of snow melting in the small area. In the future, if research for the community development process in a large scale will be done, it will be helpful to figure out temporal and spatial dynamic of vegetation in the Antarctic tundra where snow and glaciers melt rapidly due to climatic warming.