Kerguelenian Vegetation

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Kerguelenian Vegetation Plant Formations in the Kerguelenian BioProvince Peter Martin Rhind Kerguelenian Crassula maritime cliff formation Restricted to areas strongly influenced by salt-spray this vegetation is mainly characterized by the presence of the two succulent species Crassula moschata and Cotula plumosa. In the most saline areas just above high tide few other species apart from Ranunculus biternatus are found, but where groundwater permeates surface soil providing some freshwater influence species such as Callitriche antarctica and the mosses Clasmatocolea vermicularis and Eriopus apiculatus make their appearance. Areas strongly exposed to wind are typified by an increased frequency of the cushion plants Azorella selago and the endemic Colobanthus kerguelensis (Caryophyllaceae). Other species found scattered within the Crassula zone are Agrostis magellanica and various endemic bryophytes like Distichophyllum imbricatum, Lophocolea randii and Philonotis angustifolia, while On Iles Kerguelen the endemic Ranunculus pseudotrullifolius (Ranunculaceae) may be encountered growing in close association with Crassula moschata and Cotula plumosa. Kerguelenian Poa cookii Grassland Characterized by the endemic tussock grass Poa cookii (Poaceae), this vegetation is one of the southern hemisphere’s so-called ornithocoprophilus or bird guano loving communities found around seabird colonies and, in this case, penguin rookeries. It has a similar structure and ecology to the Poa foliosa and Poa flabellata communities found on other sub Antarctic islands like Macquarie, South Georga, Gough and Tristan da Cunha. There are no large herbivores so grazing is not an important factor, but trampling, especially by herds of elephant seals, can have a major impact. Consequently there are areas, often between tussocks of Poa cookii, where the vegetation has a pioneer character consisting largely of therophytes, particularly Callitriche antarctica and Montia fontana. Where there is less guano and trampling, other species may be found, notable mosses such as Brachythecium rutabulum, Leptodontium proliferum, Mielichoferia campylocarpa and liverworts like Marchantia berteroana and the endemic Lophozia cylindriformis. Other endemic liverworts associated with these grasslands are Andrewsianthus carinatus, A. lancistipus, Cephalozia randii and Metzgeria grollei. Kerguelenian Acaena magellanica wetlands Wetland vegetation characterized by Acaena magellanica typically forms along riverbanks and in springs and flushes. The few other vascular plants found here include Agrostis magellanica and the endemic Pringlea antiscorbutica (Brassicaceae), and these are often outnumbered by bryophytes. Typical species are Brachythecium subplicatum, Breutelia integrifolia, Drepanocladus uncinatus, Philonotis angustifolia, and several have bi-polar or cosmopolitan distrubutions, although the latter is endemic. Communities dominated by Acaena magellanica are recorded from most sub Antarctic islands, and in fact, on Kerguelen and Crozet, it forms the dominant vegetation over large parts of the lowlands. Kerguelenian Juncus scheuchzerioides oligotrophic mire Wherever drainage is impeded, the cool hyper-oceanic climate of these islands favours the formation of peat and extensive areas have developed on some islands. However, Sphagnum species, which form the foundation of important bog communities throughout much of World, are absent, and do not play a significant role in the mire vegetation of any of sub Antarctic islands. Juncus scheuchzerioides is the most conspicuous species of these mires, but despite this, bryophytes are still the most important peat-forming plants, and the role of Sphagnum has been largely replaced by species such as Copyright © 2010 Peter Martin Rhind Blepharidophyllum densifolium, Breutelia integrifolium, Drepanocladus uncinatus, Jamesoniella colorata and Racomitrium lanuginosum. Few other vascular plants are found in these mires although Lycopodium magellanicum is more or less confined to them. They do, however, provide habitat for a large number of other bryophytes including several endemic species such as Andrewsianthus marionensis, Jungermannia coniflora, Metzgeria marionensis, Plagiochila crozetensis, Ptychomnium ringianum and Symphyogyna marionensis. Kerguelenian Blechnum penna-marina swards On well drained relatively dry lowland slopes dense swards of the fern Blechnum penna- marina may occur. Stands of this species, many of which are almost monospecific, cover the largest part of the lowland slopes of Kerguelen, Marion and Prince Edward Islands. The few other associated vascular plants include Uncinia compactum. Bryophytes are also thin on the ground, but characteristic species include Campylopus polytrichoides, Isopterygium pulchellum var. antarcticum, Metzgeria decipiens and Plagiophyllum platyphyllum. Blechnum penna-marina is widespread in sub Antarctic and southern temperate regions and occurs on many of the sub Antarctic islands. Kerguelenian Azorella Fjaeldmark Fjaeldmark is an open vegetation of sporadic, stunted, often cushion forming flowering plants and bryophytes usually accompanied by lichens. They develop wherever the climate is sufficiently harsh to prevent the formation of closed vegetation, and typically occur in cold, windy upland areas sometimes described as ‘wind-deserts’ On Marion and Prince Edward Islands they cover large areas between 100-500m above sea level. However, despite the severe conditions, these are some of the most species-rich parts of this BioProvince. The most conspicuous plants are the cushion forming flowering plant Azorella selago and the mosses Andreaea acutifolia and Racomitrium crispulum. The cushion forming moss Ditrichum strictum is also distinctive. Among the other characteristic taxa are several endemic or near endemic bryophytes including Grimmia kerguelensis, Psilopilum cf. tristaniense and Verrucidens microcarpus. An interesting feature of the vegetation is the occurrence of completely spherical colonies of moss, which are free to blow around in the wind. Species such as Andreaea regularis, Ditrichum strictum and Holodontium pumilum have all been recorded as ‘moss balls’. It is not completely clear how these form but because they seem to be confined to cold climates it has been suggested that the instability of the substratum as a result of cryoturbatic processes is one of the causative factors. Azorella selago fjaeldmark occur on a number of sub Antarctic islands. Kerguelen also has a form fjaeldmark dominated by the endemic species Lyallia kerguelensis (Caryophyllaceae) and Poa kerguelensis (Poaceae). Further information required. References Bergstrom, D. M. & Chown, S. L. 1999. Life at the front: history, ecology and change on southern ocean islands. Tree, 14: 472-477. Chapuis, J. L., Frenot, Y. & Lebouvier, M. 2004. Recovery of native plant communities after eradication of rabbits from the sub Antarctic Kerguelen Islands, and the influence of climate change. Biological Conservation, 117: 167-179. Copyright © 2010 Peter Martin Rhind Frenot, Y., Gloaguen, J. C., Cannavacciuolo, M. & Bellido, A. 1998. Primary succession on the glacier forelands in the sub Antarctic Kerguelen Islands. Journal of Vegetation Science, 9: 75-84. Gremmen, N. J. M. 1982. The vegetation of the sub Antarctic islands Marion and Prince Edward. Dr W. Junk Publishers. Grolle, R. 2002. The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of the sub Antarctic and temperate islands in the eastern Southern Hemisphere - an annotated list. Journal of Bryology, 24: 57-80. Kidder, J. H. 1876. Contributions to the natural history of Kerguelen Island made in connection with the United States transit-of-Venus Expedition, 1874-75. Bulletin of United States National Museum, No. 3. Scott, J. J. 1990. Changes in the vegetation on Heard Island 1947-1987. In: Antarctic Ecosystems. Ecological Change and Conservation. Eds. K. R. Kerry and G. Hempel. Springer-Verlag. Smith, H. G. et al. 1974. A biological survey of St Paul’s Rocks in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society, 6: 89-96. Wace, N. M. 1960. The botany of southern oceanic islands. The Royal Society Expedition to Southern Chile. Proceedings of the Royal Society, 152: 475-490. Wace, N. M. 1965. Vascular Plants. In: Biogeography and Ecology in Antarctica. Eds. Mieghem, J. Van, Oye, P. Van and Schell, J. Dr Junk Publishers. The Hague. Copyright © 2010 Peter Martin Rhind .
Recommended publications
  • TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION and ENVIRONMENTS on HEARD ISLAND by D.M
    Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, Volume 133(2), 2000 33 TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION AND ENVIRONMENTS ON HEARD ISLAND by D.M. Bergstrom and P.M. Selkirk (with three tables, one text-figure, one plate and an appendix) BERGSTROM, D.M. & SELKIRK, P.M., 2000 (30:vi): Terrestrial vegetation and environments on Heard Island. In Banks, M.R. & Brown, M.J. (Eds): HEARD ISLAND PAPERS. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 133(2): 33-46. https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.133.2.33 ISSN 0080-4703. Department ofBotany, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4072 (DMB); and Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2019 (PMS). Significantly ice-covered and with a very small flora (11 vascular species and about 60 bryophyte taxa), Heard Island is still emerging from the effects of the last glacial maximum. This study presents the results of a general vegetation survey. A baseline framework of environmental conditions that affect vegetation on the island is described and a classification (TWINS PAN) analysis based on presence/ absence data of both vascular plant species and bryophyte taxa is provided. Distinct suites of taxa were identified on the island, some containing bryophytes only. Fifreen ecological groups were delineated. A discussion of ecological amplitude ofimportant bryophyte and vascular plant taxa on Heard Island is included. Key Words: Subantarctic, tundra, vegetation, bryophytes, cushion plants, Heard Island. INTRODUCTION during the Tertiary and included a variety of ferns and a podocarp (Quilty et al. 1983). Subantarctic Heard Island (53°06'S, 73°32'E) is approxi­ There have been few studies of terrestrial plant ecology mately 4850 km southeast of southern Africa, 4350 km on Heard Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus-PAV in the Sub-Antarctic
    Distribution of Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV in the Sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Islands and characterization of two new [i]Luteovirus[/i] species Laurence Svanella-Dumas, Thierry Candresse, Maurice Hullé, Armelle Marais-Colombel To cite this version: Laurence Svanella-Dumas, Thierry Candresse, Maurice Hullé, Armelle Marais-Colombel. Distribution of Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV in the Sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Islands and characterization of two new [i]Luteovirus[/i] species. PLoS ONE, Public Library of Science, 2013, 8 (6), pp.e67231. 10.1371/journal.pone.0067231. hal-01208609 HAL Id: hal-01208609 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01208609 Submitted on 29 May 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Distribution of Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV in the Sub- Antarctic Kerguelen Islands and Characterization of Two New Luteovirus Species Laurence Svanella-Dumas1,2, Thierry Candresse1,2, Maurice Hulle´ 3, Armelle Marais1,2* 1 INRA, UMR 1332 de Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, CS20032 Villenave d9Ornon, France, 2 Univ. Bordeaux, UMR 1332 de Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, CS20032 Villenave d9Ornon, France, 3 Institut de Ge´ne´tique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes, Agrocampus Rennes, UMR INRA 1349, BP 35327, Le Rheu, France Abstract A systematic search for viral infection was performed in the isolated Kerguelen Islands, using a range of polyvalent genus- specific PCR assays.
    [Show full text]
  • Four New Species of Uncinia (Cyperaceae) from Northern South America Gerald A
    Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany Volume 14 | Issue 2 Article 6 1995 Four New Species of Uncinia (Cyperaceae) from Northern South America Gerald A. Wheeler University of Minnesota Paul Goetchebeur University of Gent Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/aliso Part of the Botany Commons Recommended Citation Wheeler, Gerald A. and Goetchebeur, Paul (1995) "Four New Species of Uncinia (Cyperaceae) from Northern South America," Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany: Vol. 14: Iss. 2, Article 6. Available at: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/aliso/vol14/iss2/6 Aliso, 14(2), pp. 141-146 © 1995, by The Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, CA 91711-3157 FOUR NEW SPECIES OF UNCINIA (CYPERACEAE) FROM NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA GERALD A. WHEELER Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota 55/08-1095 AND PAUL GOETGHEBEUR Department of Morphology, Systematics and Ecology Laboratory of Botany, University of Gent Ledeganckstraat 35, Gent, Belgium ABSTRACT Four new species of Uncinia (Cyperaceae) are described from northern South America. Three of them, U. lacustris, U. paludosa, and U. tenuifolia, belong in sect. Platyandrae; the fourth, U. subsac­ culata, belongs in sect. Uncinia. Three of the new species are known only from Ecuador, whereas U. paludosa has also been collected in Colombia. Key words: Colombia, Cyperaceae, Ecuador, Uncinia lacustris, U. paludosa, U. subsacculata, U. tenuifolia. INTRODUCTION Plants loosely cespitose from short, creeping rhi­ zomes; rhizomes 1.7-2.3 mm thick, dark reddish All of the 60 to 70 species of Uncinia Pers. (Cy­ brown. Fertile culms 5.5-23 em tall, 0.6-0.8 mm thick, peraceae) occur south of the Tropic of Cancer, with erect or slightly curved, from shorter than to exceeding slightly over 20 growing in the mountains and cooler the leaves, obscurely trigonous to nearly terete, regions of South America.
    [Show full text]
  • ITEX Discoveries
    Plant Response to Climate Change: Integration of ITEX Discoveries Proceedings from the 9th ITEX Meeting AEL REPORT 1 ARCTIC ECOLOGY LABORATORY DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY & PLANT PATHOLOGY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EAST LANSING, MI 48824 Plant Response to Climate Change: Integration of ITEX Discoveries Proceedings from the 9th ITEX Meeting Compiled and edited by Robert D. Hollister Suggested Citation: Hollister, R.D. (editor). 1999. Plant Response to Climate Change: Integration of ITEX Discoveries. Proceedings from the 9th ITEX Meeting January 5-9, 1999. Arctic Ecology Laboratory Report 1, Michigan State University. East Lansing, MI. 117 p. This Report is available from: The Arctic Ecology Laboratory Department of Botany & Plant Pathology Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Telephone: 517 432-2399 i Foreword This compilation from the 1999 meeting of the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) held at Michigan State University (MSU) demonstrates the considerable progress made since the 1990 founding meeting of ITEX which was also held at MSU. In the intervening nine years ITEX has become an established and well-known project. It has been used as a model for related endeavors. This document is intended to serve as an update on ITEX activities and an encouragement for continued integration and cooperation in the study of tundra plant response, and the linked feedback of this response, to climate change. The ITEX Steering Committee and I wish to thank Bob Hollister for his unflagging efforts as Conference Coordinator and compiler and editor of this report. The meeting was made possible with funding from the United States National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs (grant number OPP 9714103).
    [Show full text]
  • Persistence of Carex Bigelowii–Racomitrium Lanuginosum Moss Heath Under Sheep Grazing in the Grampian Mountains, Scotland
    Article (refereed) - postprint Welch, David; Scott, David; Thompson, Des B.A. 2015. Persistence of Carex bigelowii–Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath under sheep grazing in the Grampian Mountains, Scotland. Journal of Bryology, 37 (2). 96-103. 10.1179/1743282014Y.0000000127 Copyright © British Bryological Society 2014 This version available http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/511342/ NERC has developed NORA to enable users to access research outputs wholly or partially funded by NERC. Copyright and other rights for material on this site are retained by the rights owners. Users should read the terms and conditions of use of this material at http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/policies.html#access This document is the author’s final manuscript version of the journal article, incorporating any revisions agreed during the peer review process. Some differences between this and the publisher’s version remain. You are advised to consult the publisher’s version if you wish to cite from this article. The definitive version is available at http://www.maneyonline.com/ Contact CEH NORA team at [email protected] The NERC and CEH trademarks and logos (‘the Trademarks’) are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner. 1 Persistence of Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath under sheep 2 grazing in the Grampian Mountains, Scotland. 3 4 David Welch1, David Scott1 and Des B.A. Thompson2 5 1Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, 6 Midlothian, EH26 0QB; 2Scottish Natural Heritage, Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Road, 7 Edinburgh, EH12 7AT.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial Invasions on Sub-Antarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands
    Bothalia - African Biodiversity & Conservation ISSN: (Online) 2311-9284, (Print) 0006-8241 Page 1 of 21 Original Research Terrestrial invasions on sub-Antarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands Authors: Background: The sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands (PEIs), South Africa’s southernmost 1 Michelle Greve territories have high conservation value. Despite their isolation, several alien species have Rabia Mathakutha1 Christien Steyn1 established and become invasive on the PEIs. Steven L. Chown2 Objectives: Here we review the invasion ecology of the PEIs. Affiliations: Methods: We summarise what is known about the introduction of alien species, what 1Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of influences their ability to establish and spread, and review their impacts. Pretoria, South Africa Results: Approximately 48 alien species are currently established on the PEIs, of which 26 are 2School of Biological Sciences, known to be invasive. Introduction pathways for the PEIs are fairly well understood – species Monash University, Australia have mainly been introduced with ship cargo and building material. Less is known about establishment, spread and impact of aliens. It has been estimated that less than 5% of the PEIs Corresponding author: is covered by invasive plants, but invasive plants have attained circuminsular distributions on Michelle Greve, [email protected] both PEIs. Studies on impact have primarily focussed on the effects of vertebrate invaders, of which the house mouse, which is restricted to Marion Island, probably has the greatest impact Dates: on the biodiversity of the islands. Because of the risk of alien introductions, strict biosecurity Received: 01 Aug. 2016 regulations govern activities at the PEIs. These are particularly aimed at stemming the Accepted: 05 Dec.
    [Show full text]
  • Part 4 Appendices
    Part 4 Appendices HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS MARINE RESERVE 139 Appendix 1. Proclamation of Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve 140 MANAGEMENT PLAN HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS MARINE RESERVE 141 142 MANAGEMENT PLAN Appendix 2. Native Fauna of the HIMI Marine Reserve Listed Under the EPBC Act Scientific Name Common Name Birds recorded as breeding Aptenodytes patagonicus king penguin S Catharacta lonnbergi subantarctic skua S Daption capense cape petrel S Diomeda exulans wandering albatross V S M B J A Diomeda melanophrys black–browed albatross S M B A Eudyptes chrysocome southern rockhopper penguin S Eudyptes chrysolophus macaroni penguin S Larus dominicanus kelp gull S Macronectes giganteus southern giant petrel E S M B A Oceanites oceanicus Wilson’s storm petrel S M J Pachyptila crassirostris fulmar prion S Pachyptila desolata Antarctic prion S Pelecanoides georgicus South Georgian diving petrel S Pelecanoides urinatrix common diving petrel S Phalacrocorax atriceps (e) Heard Island cormorant V S Phoebetria palpebrata light mantled sooty albatross S M B A Pygoscelis papua gentoo penguin S Sterna vittata Antarctic tern V S Non–breeding birds Catharacta maccormicki south polar skua S M J Diomedea epomophora southern royal albatross V S M B A Fregetta grallaria white–bellied storm petrel S Fregetta tropica black–bellied storm petrel S Fulmarus glacialoides southern fulmar S Garrodia nereis grey–backed storm petrel S Halobaena caerulea blue petrel V S Macronectes halli northern giant petrel V S M B A Pachyptila belcheri
    [Show full text]
  • REPORT on PRESENT STATE of KNOWLEDGE of Various INSULAR FLORAS, Being an Introduction to the First Three Parts 'Of the Botany of the Challenger Expedition
    CONTENTS. 1.-REPORT on PRESENT STATE of KNOWLEDGE of various INSULAR FLORAS, being an Introduction to the first Three Parts 'of the Botany of the Challenger Expedition. By Wiuri BOTTING HEMSLEY, A.L.S. (Received March 25, 1885.) Preliminary Remarks, p. 1; Literature relating to Insular Floras, p. 1; Classification of Islands in Relation to the Composition of their Vegetation, p. 5; Lists of the Plants, and Analyses of the Composition of the Floras of Various Islands not included in the Reports-I. Vegetation containing a large Endemic Element, including distinct Generic Types: Sandwich Islands, p. 7; Ordinal Composition of the Flora of the Sandwich Islands, p. 8; Distribution of the Cyrtandre, p. 9; Galapagos, p. 10; Seychelles, p. 11; Rodriguez, p. 12; II. Vegetation containing a small, chiefly specific Endemic Element: Marianne Islands, p. 13; E1zabeth Island, p. 15; Easter Island, p. 15; III. Vegetation containing no Endemic Element: Islands of the Indian Ocean, p. 16; Smaller Pacific Islands; Marshall Islands, p. 17; Maldon Island, p. 17; Caroline Island, p. 18; Caroline Archipelago, p. 18 in footnote; Pitcairn Island, p. 18; Examination of some of the special features of Insular Floras: Endemic Arboreous and Shrubby Com posit in Oceanic Islands: The Sandwich Islands, p. 19; The Galapagos Islands, p. 19; The Islands of the South Pacific, p. 20; The genus Fitchia, p. 20, footnote; Canary Islands and Madeira, p. 21; St Helena, p. 21; Juan Fernandez and Masafuera, p. 22; Chatham Island, p. 22; New Zealand, p. 23; Madagascar, p. 23; Mauritius, Seychelles, and Rodriguez, p. 24; Continental Arboreous Compositte, p.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution in Sedges (Carex, Cyperaceae)
    Evolution in sedges (Carex, Cyperaceae) A. A. REZNICEK University of Michigan Herbarium, North University Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48/09, U.S.A. Received January 2, 1990 REZNICEK,A. A. 1990. Evolution in sedges (Carex, Cyperaceae). Can. J. Bot. 68: 1409-1432. Carex is the largest and most widespread genus of Cyperaceae, but evolutionary relationships within it are poorly under- stood. Subgenus Primocarex was generally thought to be artificial and derived from diverse multispicate species. Relation- ships of rachilla-bearing species of subgenus Primocarex, however, were disputed, with some authors suggesting derivation from other genera, and others believing them to be primitive. Subgenus Indocarex, with compounded inflorescence units, was thought to be primitive, with subgenera Carex and Vignea reduced and derived. However, occurrence of rachillas is not confined to a few unispicate species, as previously thought, but is widespread. The often suggested connection between Uncinia and unispicate Carex is shown, based on rachilla morphology, to be founded on incorrect interpretation OF homology. Uncinia kingii, the alleged connecting link, is, in fact, a Carex. Unispicate Carex without close multispicate relatives probably originated from independent, ancient reductions of primitive, rachilla-bearing, multispicate Carex. The highly compounded inflorescences occumng in subgenus Vignea are hypothesized to represent a primitive state in Carex, and the more specialized inflorescences in subgenus Carex derived from inflorescences of this type. The relationships of subgenus Indocurex, with its unique perigynium-like inflorescence prophylls, remain unclear. REZNICEK,A. A. 1990. Evolution in sedges (Carex, Cyperaceae). Can. J. Bot. 68 : 1409-1432. Le Carex est le genre le plus irilportant et le plus rCpandu des Cyperaceae, mais les affinites Cvolutives a I'intCrieur de ce genre sont ma1 connues.
    [Show full text]
  • An Annotated Checklist of Tasmanian Mosses
    15 AN ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF TASMANIAN MOSSES by P.I Dalton, R.D. Seppelt and A.M. Buchanan An annotated checklist of the Tasmanian mosses is presented to clarify the occurrence of taxa within the state. Some recently collected species, for which there are no published records, have been included. Doubtful records and excluded speciei. are listed separately. The Tasmanian moss flora as recognised here includes 361 species. Key Words: mosses, Tasmania. In BANKS, M.R. et al. (Eds), 1991 (3l:iii): ASPECTS OF TASMANIAN BOTANY -- A TR1BUn TO WINIFRED CURTIS. Roy. Soc. Tasm. Hobart: 15-32. INTRODUCTION in recent years previously unrecorded species have been found as well as several new taxa described. Tasmanian mosses received considerable attention We have assigned genera to families followi ng Crosby during the early botanical exploration of the antipodes. & Magill (1981 ), except where otherwise indicated in One of the earliest accounts was given by Wilson (1859), the case of more recent publications. The arrangement who provided a series of descriptions of the then-known of families, genera and species is in alphabetic order for species, accompanied by coloured illustrations, as ease of access. Taxa known to occur in Taslnania ami Part III of J.D. Hooker's Botany of the Antarctic its neighbouring islands only are listed; those for Voyage. Although there have been a number of papers subantarctic Macquarie Island (politically part of since that time, two significant compilations were Tasmania) are not treated and have been presented published about the tum of the century. The first was by elsewhere (Seppelt 1981).
    [Show full text]
  • Mosses and the Struggle for Light in a Nitrogen-Polluted World
    Oecologia (2005) 142: 159–168 DOI 10.1007/s00442-004-1706-0 ECOPHYSIOLOGY Rene´van der Wal Æ Imogen S. K. Pearce Rob W. Brooker Mosses and the struggle for light in a nitrogen-polluted world Received: 26 December 2003 / Accepted: 4 August 2004 / Published online: 14 October 2004 Ó Springer-Verlag 2004 Abstract The impact of reduced light conditions as an demonstrates the importance of understanding moss- indirect effect of nitrogen (N) deposition was determined vascular plant interactions to allow interpretation and on three mosses in a montane ecosystem, where sedge prediction of ecosystem responses to anthropogenic and grass cover increase due to N enrichment. Addi- drivers such as atmospheric N deposition or climate tionally, in the greenhouse we established the impor- change. tance of low light to moss growth as an indirect N deposition effect relative to the direct toxic effects of N. Keywords Competition Æ Light Æ Montane Æ Mosses Æ The amount of light reaching the moss layer was Nitrogen enrichment strongly and negatively related to graminoid abundance. Mosses showed differing sensitivities to reduced light in the field. Racomitrium lanuginosum biomass was found Introduction to be highest under high-light conditions, Polytrichum alpinum at intermediate light levels, whilst that of Di- Mosses and vascular plants co-occur in a wide range of cranum fuscescens was unrelated to light availability. habitats across the world, yet our understanding of their Moreover, Racomitrium biomass decreased with interactions remains limited. This lack of mechanistic increasing amounts of graminoid litter, whereas the understanding hinders our ability to interpret and pre- other species were little affected.
    [Show full text]
  • Carex of New England
    Field Guide to Carex of New England Lisa A. Standley A Special Publication of the New England Botanical Club About the Author: Lisa A. Standley is an environmental consultant. She obtained a B.S, and M.S. from Cornell University and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. She has published several articles on the systematics of Carex, particularly Section Phacocystis, and was the author of several section treatments in the Flora of North America. Cover Illustrations: Pictured are Carex pensylvanica and Carex intumescens. Field Guide to Carex of New England Lisa A. Standley Special Publication of the New England Botanical Club Copyright © 2011 Lisa A. Standley Acknowledgements This book is dedicated to Robert Reed, who first urged me to write a user-friendly guide to Carex; to the memory of Melinda F. Denton, my mentor and inspiration; and to Tony Reznicek, for always sharing his expertise. I would like to thank all of the people who helped with this book in so many ways, particularly Karen Searcy and Robert Bertin for their careful editing; Paul Somers, Bruce Sorrie, Alice Schori, Pam Weatherbee, and others who helped search for sedges; Arthur Gilman, Melissa Dow Cullina, and Patricia Swain, who carefully read early drafts of the book; and to Emily Wood, Karen Searcy, and Ray Angelo, who provided access to the herbaria at Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts, and the New England Botanical Club. CONTENTS Introduction .......................................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]