In February 2019, during fieldwork at Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, a large population of the rare liverwort Hygrolembidium isophyllum (Lepidoziaceae) was discovered. The occurrence of this rare species reinforces the need to preserve Antarctic Specially Protected Area 133.
Antarctic plant communities show a close relationship with soil types across the landscape, where vegetation cover changes, biological infl uence, and soil characteristics can affect the dynamic of greenhouse gases emissions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate greenhouse gases emissions in lab conditions of ice-free areas along a topographic gradient (from sea level up to 300 meters). We selected 11 distinct vegetation compositions areas and assessed greenhouse gases production potentials through 20 days of laboratory incubations varying temperatures at -2, 4, 6, and 22 °C.High N 2 O production potential was associated with the Phanerogamic Community under the strong ornithogenic infl uence (ph osphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter contents).Seven different areas acted as N 2 O sink at a temperature of -2 °C, demonstrating the impact of low-temperature conditions contributing to store N in soils. Moss Carpets had the highest CH 4 emissions and low CO 2 production potential. Fruticose Lichens had a CH 4 sink effect and the highest values of CO 2 . The low rate of organic matter provided the CO 2 sink effect on the bare soil (up to 6 °C). There is an overall trend of increasing greenhouse gases production potential with increasing temperature along a toposequence.
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