Distribution of terrestrial plant communities near Syowa Station in Antarctica, with special reference to water supply and soil property

Abstract

The ecological studies were made on the terrestrial plant communities (mainly mosses and algae), with special reference to water supply and soil properties. Moss communities were distributed mainly on the northeastern and northwestern slopes of the bare-rock zones, such as Akarui Point, Tama Point, Tensoku Rock, Tottuki Point and Mukai Rocks, where water is supplied directly from the ends of the continental ice sheet in the summer. To elucidate the relation between distribution pattern of plant communities and nutrients, the soil samples for chemical analyses were taken at 37 points in various areas, and pH, total N, total C, available P_2O_5 and exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Na were measured in the laboratory. The correlations were observed, to a certain extent, among moss community and total N and C. It can be said that available P_2O_5 plays an important role in distribution and growth of a species of green alga (Prasiola crispa subsp. antarctica). On the other hand, many points remain uncertain regarding the relation between the distribution of plants and the inorganic nutrients such as Ca, Mg, K and Na.