Distribution pattern of Deschampsia antarctica, a flowering plant newly colonized around King Sejong Station in Antarctica

Abstract

As a baseline survey for long-term monitoring on environmental change around the Antarctic King Sejong Station, distribution pattern of Deschampsia antarctica Desv., a flowering plant newly colonized were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in both austral summer 2002 and 2003. Dispersal of the seeds and vegetative leaves by skuas might lead to the colonization into this area from neighbors in Maxwell Bay. The pioneer populations were observed around ponds and a stream of the Sejong Point in January 2002, and the maximum dispersal area was four times expanded after a year. Most of the populations were formed on the stable and well-drained substrate, which consisted of moss carpet of Sanionia georgico-uncinata (65%) and pebbles (25%), while only a few young individuals were observed on the unstable and watertight silt-sandy area. Especially, S. georgico-uncinata was being effectively utilized as their primary substrate with the soft, coarse and water-contained leaves. Also the perennial mature plants of D. antarctica were mainly formed on the moss carpet rather than pebbles. A few individuals were grown on other mosses of Polytrichastrum alpinum, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Pohlia cruda, and Conostomum magellanicum and on a liverwort of Cephaloziella varians. We expect that dispersal of D. antarctica and the following succession to grass field will be continuously and dynamically proceeded in this area, with the characteristics of ecological niche against the initial moss populations, on the similar continuity of environmental conditions. The continuous observations are needed with establishment of database on environmental change of micro-habitats, e.g. the water content and nutrients of soil and the underground temperature and permafrost.