TABLE 1.
The origin of Deschampsia antarctica populations used in the study
| No. | Vegetation | Edaphic characteristics | Distance from the sea [m] | Altitude [m a.s.l.] | Location | Number of individuals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The area has abundant plant cover, mainly D. antarctica, C. quitensis, and Prasiola crispa, a green algae that develops rapidly during the growing season; ornithocoprophilous lichen species grow on rocks | Basalt rock outcrops where soils developed only in rock crevices; soil has high organic matter content originating mainly from fresh penguin guano; the habitat is humid and sheltered from the wind; area trampled by birds. | 100–120 | 10 | 62.1621S, 58.4606W | 14 |
| 2. | Many lichen species, including halophilous species Verrucaria tesselatula. D. antarctica and C. quitensis (less frequent than in site 1), as well as Prasiola crispa | Within the range of ocean waves during stormy weather; soils were classified as Eutric Skeletic Nudilithic Leptosols (Arenic, Humic, Ornithic, Protic); soil has high organic matter content originating mainly from fresh penguin guano; humid and exposed habitat | 1–2 | 0.5–1.0 | 62.1629S, 58.4567W | 21 |
| 3. | The site is covered by the Antarctic tundra; mosses, lichens and two species of flowering plants, D. antarctica and C. quitensis, were identified; plants are short (2.5–6.5 cm) | The oldest moraine of the Ecology Glacier; sloping edge of a relatively old fluted moraine; strongly graveled soils; habitat dry and exposed; the site occupies a former penguin rookery, with relict bird influences; within the range of sea water aerosols during stormy weather; soil was classified as Skeletic Protic Turbic Cryosol (Arenic, Eutric, Humic, Ornithic). | 400 | 40 | 62.1639S, 58.4599W | 21 |
| 4. | Lichens, D. antarctica and C. quitensis were identified, but plant cover was less extensive; flowering plants have a height of 3.5–7.5 cm; plant growth is relatively rapid | A moraine of the Ecology Glacier; dry and exposed habitat with a minor influence of penguin and seal rookeries; site 4 is similar to site 3, but younger; soil was classified as Eutric Protic Skeletic Regosol (Loamic, Turbic). | 400 | 35 | 62.1645S, 58.4603W | 11 |
| 5. | Typical Antarctic tundra; mosses, lichens and flowering plants form a dense carpet; flowering plants grow slowly and reach 1.5–2.5 cm in height | Near the grave of W. Puchalski; gravelly material is water permeable and well drained; old penguin rookery with relict ornithogenic soil; habitat dry and exposed; soil was classified as Skeletic Protic Turbic Cryosol (Arenic, Dystric, Humic, Ornithic). | 500 | 110 | 62.1635S, 58.4626W | 33 |
| 6. | The proportion of flowering plants is small, with a predominance of lichens | Near the Jersak Hills glacier; far from the coast (700 m); basalt rock outcrops with scree debris below; soil was classified as Eutric Protic Skeletic Leptic Regosol (Arenic, Humic, Turbic); habitat dry and exposed; soil has low nutrient and organic matter content | 700 | 200 | 62.1649S, 58.4874W | 10 |
| 7. | Numerous rocks with the smallest plant cover in all studied sites; plant age was determined based on flowering tussocks: Colobanthus quitensis plants appeared in this location approx. 10 years ago, and Deschampsia antarctica plants appeared in this location approx. 3–5 years ago | The youngest fluted moraine of the Ecology Glacier with rich petrographic composition; close to a fresh water lagoon from a melting glacier; very high moisture content due to the direct influence of sea water; minor influence of penguin and seal rookeries; soil was classified as Eutric Protic Skeletic Protic Regosol (Loamic). | 20 | 0.5 | 62.1682S, 58.4622W | 16 |
| 8. | Two native flowering plants, an invasive grass species (Poa annua) and chlorophyte algae (Prasiola crispa) | The area of Henryk Arctowski Station; the ground was transformed due to continuous human influence (road, water tank); humid habitat sheltered from the wind; sea sands and fluvioglacial sands were mechanically altered; vegetation cover is limited due to mechanical impact exerted by people and vehicles; soil was classified as Skeletic Eutric Fluvisol (Arenic). | 50 | 0.5 | 62.1598S, 58.4759W | 27 |
| 9. | Mostly lichens, mosses and scattered specimens of D. antarctica and C. quitensis, excluding the area surrounding Arctowski Station (site 8) | Mouth of the Ornithologists Creek; fertile and moist soil supplied with both fresh water from the Ornithologists Creek and sea water which is accumulated for several hours after a storm; influence of the penguin colony (guano is the main source of organic matter); human impact on soil and vegetation is minimal, limited to occasional trampling on routes to study sites | 30–40 | 1.0 | 62.1658S, 58.4589W | 12 |