A classification of terrestrial vegetation near McMurdo Sound, continental Antarctica

Abstract

Eleven plant sociations are reported from the McMurdo Sound region of continental Antarctica, and they are grouped in the Alga, Fruticose and Foliose Lichen; Crustaceous Lichen; and Short Moss Turf and Cushion subformations of the Antarctic Non-vascular Cryptogam Tundra formation. Their inclusion necessitated only minor modification of a vegetation classification developed in the maritime Antarctic.The most widespread vegetation consisted of sparsely developed communities of turf- and cushion-forming mosses in habitats ranging from dry cinder slopes to sand and gravel in seepage areas and by meltwater streams. The bryophyte colonies seldom exceeded 4 cm in depth, and although total plant cover within the communities locally reached 85%, it was more frequently under 5%. The Sarconeunim association appeared to tolerate more arid conditions than the Bryum association, whose communities occasionally merged with algal sociations occupying certain of the streams. Exposed rock habitats normally supported at most small scattered thalli of crustaceous lichens, well-developed lichen communities being rare.