Biodiversity of freshwater autotrophs in selected wet places in northern coastal ecosystems of James Ross Island

Abstract

Freshwater algae and cyanobacteria, their biodiversity in particular, have been studied at the James Ross Island (Antarctica) since 2004. The main aim of presented study was to contribute to species list of a particular seepage that has been monitored repeatedly on the northern deglaciated part of the Island. The seepage is located on north-facing slopes of Berry Hill and supplied by melt water from annual snow depositions and frozen ground. Microclimate conditions have been monitored by an automatic weather station since 2012. For the purpose of this study, samples of microbiological mats were collected from bottom of three streams passing through the seepage dominated by several moss species. Algal and cyanobacterial taxa were determined according to morphological characteristics. Species richness differences between sampling sites were found and evaluated. Dominating taxa differed between sampling sites as well. The species reported in our study were compared with existing literature sources related to James Ross Island. Altogether, 44 algal and cyanobacterial taxa were found. Biodiversity of the seepage is discussed and related to microclimate characteristics of the site.