Vegetation mapping of moss-dominated areas of northern part of James Ross Island (Antarctica) and a suggestion of protective measures

• Published in: Czech Polar Reports
• Main Authors: Barták Miloš, Váczi Peter, Stachoň Zdeněk, Kubešová Svatava
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Masarykova univerzita 2015
• Subjects: Antarctics; mosses; seepages; biodiversity; Bryum pseudotriquetrum; Hypnum revolutum; Sanionia uncinata; Antarktida; mechy; podmáčená místa; biodiverzita; Austral; Ross Island; Ostrova; Rosse; Lachman; Berry Hill; Lachman Lakes; Antarc*; Antarctica; James Ross Island
• Online Access: https://is.muni.cz/publication/1314672; https://doi.org/10.5817/CPR2015-1-8

In this study, a GPS method was used to measure moss-dominated vegetation areas located at northern part of James Ross Island. Several small-scale (above 400 m2) areas were selected for the measurements of their shape, total area, boarder line, mean slope, and exposition as well as biodiversity of mosses. The areas of interest were located particularly in neighbourhood of the Big and Small Lachman lakes and northern slopes of Berry Hill mesa. Typically, the mossdominated areas were supplied with melt water from neighbouring snow fields formed in previous austral winter season. Specimens of mosses were collected from each site so that dominating species forming community structure could be evaluated. Individual areas differed in species richness, however, Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Hypnum revolutum dominated most of them. Sanionia uncinata was found at the only one of the investigated areas and might be considered as rare species for James Ross Island. In the paper, shape location and area of moss-dominated spots at James Ross Island is reported and discussed in relation to morphological characteristics of particular sites as well as water availability during austral summer season. Práce přináší výsledky mapování vegetačních oáz severní části ostrova Jamese rosse, Antarktida. In this study, a GPS method was used to measure moss-dominated vegetation areas located at northern part of James Ross Island. Several small-scale (above 400 m2) areas were selected for the measurements of their shape, total area, boarder line, mean slope, and exposition as well as biodiversity of mosses. The areas of interest were located particularly in neighbourhood of the Big and Small Lachman lakes and northern slopes of Berry Hill mesa. Typically, the mossdominated areas were supplied with melt water from neighbouring snow fields formed in previous austral winter season. Specimens of mosses were collected from each site so that dominating species forming community structure could be evaluated. Individual areas differed in species ...