Schirmacher, Oasis, East Antarctica, a lichenologically interestingregion

摘要

Lichens are among the major floristic elements in Antarctica along with bryophytes and algae. So far, 427 species of lichens have been described from whole of the continent of which around 40% are endemic. The Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Victoria Land and other localities in the western regions of Antarctica have been well explored lichenologically in the past hundred years and much information on the lichens of that area is available. However, only a few reports on lichens are available from the Eastern parts of Antarctica where Schirmacher Oasis is situated. Schirmacher Oasis (hereafter abbreviated SO) is a small ice-free landmass of 35 sq km, located in Queen (Dronning) Maud Land Area, East Antarctica, at the intersection of coordinates 70.8 degree S latitude and 11.8 degree E longitude. A total of 10 nunataks are located near the SO. Lichens from SO have been collected since the 1970s by German and Russian researchers. The National Botanical Research Institute (hereafter abbreviated NBRI), Lucknow was identified by the Department of Ocean Development, New Delhi (India), as the centre for carrying out lichenological investigation in SO in the year 1991. So far, NBRI first participated in three Indian Antarctic Expeditions (11th, 17th & 22nd) and described 41 species of lichens of which 18 were new records. A checklist of 50 lichen species occurring in SO is now available, which is prepared on the basis of collections at NBRI herbarium (LWG) and compilation of the published literature. Apart from the floristic work NBRI team has also estimated heavy metals in the naturally growing and transplanted lichens in SO as the source of air pollution in the area. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), air quality monitoring around generator complex and lichenometric studies near glaciers snout are the other studies carried out by the same team in SO.