Changes in the lichen biota of the Lions Rump area, King George Island, Antarctica, over the last 20 years

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Olech, Maria, Słaby, Agnieszka
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: lichen biota; biodiversity; ASPA No. 151; climate change; Maritime; Antarctica; Antarc*; Antarctic; King George Island; Polar Biology; Tundra
• Online Access: http://ruj.uj.edu.pl/xmlui/handle/item/30143; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-015-1863-0

Climate changes observed in recent years in the maritime Antarctic have affected the tundra vegetation, including plant communities in which lichens are a dominant component. The results of comparative studies (1988 and 1990 vs. 2007 and 2008) on the dynamics of the lichen biota within the Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 151 (King George Island, Antarctica) minimally influenced by human impact, are presented. This long-term experiment is aimed at determining the trends and rate of changes on lichen biota induced by climate warming and rapid deglaciation. The most significant changes affecting the lichen biota have taken place in the forefield of a glacier and on the young moraines where in the second period of studies three species (Polyblastiagothica, Thelenellakerguelena, Thelocarponcyaneum) were not refound. There was also a reduction in the number of other sites for some species (e.g. Leptogiumpuberulum, Staurothellegelida) caused by substrate desiccation. On the other hand, there was an increase in the range of pioneering species (e.g. Bacidiachrysocolla, Caloplacajohnstonii, Candelariellaaurella, Lecanoradispersa) on young moraines recently uncovered by the retreating glacier. The smallest changes were observed on the cliff rocks near penguin colonies.