Japan-China collaboration research program on terrestrial biology at Great Wall Station in King George Island, in the summer of 1990/91

Abstract

The collaboration between Japanese and Chinese biologists started in the 1988/89 season with a three-year program at Great Wall Station, King George Island. For the third year of the program (1990/91), two Japanese botanists carried out the field survey on freshwater algae and bryophytes in the 7th Chinese National Antarctic Expedition (CHINARE-7). Taxonomic study of freshwater algae was carried out at the Fildes Peninsula. About 110 taxa were recognized in the samples collected from a variety of freshwater habitats. Distribution of snow algae was studied with reference to microhabitat and snow properties as a co-operative study with a Chinese scientist. The microclimate and photosynthetic activities of moss colonies around Great Wall Station were studied. Vertical cross-sections of moss colonies were examined to study the structure and dynamics of moss colonies.