The lichen, bryophyte, and vascular plant flora and vegetation of the Landing Lake area, Prince Patrick Island, Arctic Canada

Abstract

The relative abundance and ecology of 123 lichens, 12 liverworts, 1 peat moss, 59 mosses, and 40 vascular plants are described from the southeastern part of Prince Patrick Island, 76° N latitude. One hundred and three of the lichens, 25 of the bryophytes, and 6 of the vascular plants are first reports for the island. One lichen, Blastenia arctica, is reported for the first time from North America. One hundred and seventy of the species were found on the ground, 51 on rock, 9 on decaying plant material, 9 on bone, 5 on fossil wood, 4 on caribou dung, and 2 on mosses. Sixteen habitat types are described, based upon a relevé analysis of 31 different sites. A percentage of the lichens (95.1%), of the bryophytes (95.8%), and of the vascular plants (60.0%) encountered have a Circumpolar distribution. A percentage of the lichens (3.3%), of the bryophytes (1.4%), of the vascular plants (22.5%) have an American distribution. Eight species have an Amphi-Beringian distribution: lichens, 1.6%; bryophytes, 1.4%; vascular plants, 12.5%. One bryophyte (1.4%) and two vascular plants (5.0%) have an Amphi-Atlantic distribution.