Changes in the moss (Bryophyta) flora in the vicinity of the Spanish Juan Carlos I Station (Livingston island, Antarctica) over three decades

摘要

There are very few long-term studies on Antarctic vegetation available, and very little is known of plant community changes over time in the Antarctic Peninsula area, an area itself subject to considerable change in recent decades. The vegetation of the South Bay area near the Spanish Station Juan Carlos I on Livingston island (South Shetland Islands) was extensively surveyed in the 1980s, and this study reports comparison of that survey with a new extensive survey carried out in the 2018/19 austral summer. A total of 38 species was found in the survey, an overall decrease in diversity, with eight previously recorded species not relocated including all representatives of the families Encalyptaceae (two species) and Hypnaceae (two species). One previously unrecorded species was found. Descriptions and discussion of each taxon recorded are provided, along with consideration of the possible causes of the changes observed.