Species composition, diversity and coverage pattern of associated communities of mosses-lichens along a pedoenvironmental gradient in Maritime Antarctica

Abstract Maritime Antarctica is one of the major terrestrial ecosystems dominated by lichens and mosses, which represent important ecological indicators. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the changes in associated communities of mosses-lichens diversity and coverage along a pedoenvironmental gradient on Ha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 2021-01, Vol.94 (suppl 1), p.e20200094-e20200094
Main Authors: SCHMITZ, DANIELA, VILLA, PEDRO MANUEL, MICHEL, ROBERTO F.M., PUTZKE, JAIR, PEREIRA, ANTÔNIO B., SCHAEFER, CARLOS ERNESTO G.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
beta diversity
community composition
lichens
mosses
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES
plant-soil relationships
soil filters
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Summary:Abstract Maritime Antarctica is one of the major terrestrial ecosystems dominated by lichens and mosses, which represent important ecological indicators. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the changes in associated communities of mosses-lichens diversity and coverage along a pedoenvironmental gradient on Half Moon Island, Maritime Antarctica. We focused on how patterns in associated communities of mosses-lichens species diversity (richness, species composition and beta diversity) and coverage are associated with soil properties using plant inventory data from 174 plots across 14 contrasting pedoenvironments. The results clearly show marked differences in soil properties along the pedoenvironmental gradient, which determine variations in species composition, richness and coverage. We presumed that these variations are common in Maritime Antarctica owing to varying periglacial processes, weathering degree, parent material and biological influence (especially by penguins and other birds). The community species richness and coverage along the pedoenvironmental gradient differ, nevertheless share common species present in most pedoenvironments, despite differences in coverage. We assume that most of the pedoenvironments are habitats to rare species that occur only under specific soil conditions, additionally promotes high β-diversity between pedoenvironments and low species similarity.
ISSN:0001-3765
1678-2690
1678-2690
DOI:10.1590/0001-3765202120200094