Algal diversity, seasonality and abundance in, and along glacial stream in Sverdrup Pass, 79゜N, Central Ellesmere Island, Canada (scientific paper)

• Main Author: Josef Elster and Josef Svoboda
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Department of Botany, University of Toronto, Erindale College/Department of Botany, University of Toronto, Erindale College 1996
• Subjects: Canada; Ellesmere Island; Fuller; Sverdrup Pass; Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research; Polar Research
• Online Access: https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=2277; http://id.nii.ac.jp/1291/00002277/; https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=2277&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1

This study examines the diversity, seasonality and abundance of cyanoprocaryota (cyanobacteria) and algae, in and along a glacial stream ecosystem in Sverdrup Pass 79°N, Central Ellesmere Island, Canada. Seasonal course and seasonal values of Relative Species Occurrence, Frequency and Abundance were calculated for the glacial stream, merging with a studied section of Sverdrup River. In the stream the values were calculated separately for the upper "new" moraine section which was poorly vegetated, and for the lower, "old" moraine section with a fuller vegetation cover. Three distinct algal life-strategies were described. Two of them, representing mostly filamentous types, i.e. floating filamentous forms and mucilaginous films had smaller species diversity with 7 and 9 species respectivelly. These types occupied mainly the "new" moraine section of the creek and produced high biomass there. These organisms started the process of plant life invasion in the newly deglaciated parts of the moraine and did not show any noticeable seasonal trend. The third life-strategy group, suspended metaphyton (the algal flora which is present between the epiphytes as a loose collection of non-motile or slightly motile organisms, without any obvious mode of attachment), displayed higher species diversity (53 species) and occupied mainly the "old" moraine section. This group occurred less regularly and showed sharp seasonal peak.