Patterns of moss richness in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, cannot be explained by geological or ornithogenic drivers alone

• DOI: 10.1017/s0954102021000614
• Publication Date: 2022-04-08T07:26:46Z
• Authors: Bárbara Guedes Co...; Peter Convey; Micheline Carvalh...; Eduardo Toledo Am...; Jairo Patiño; Paulo Eduardo Agu...
• Keywords: ornithogenic soils; 0301 basic medicine; non-ornithogenic soils; 03 medical and health sciences; environmental filters; bryophytes; Bryophytes; geological extracts; 14. Life underwater; 15. Life on land

Abstract We set out to document the diversity and distribution of bryophytes in Admiralty Bay thereby enable identification patterns local their possible drivers. Combining data extracted from different sources recent collections, we documented presence 63 species. Similarity analyses moss species relation underlying geology ornithogenic influence identified an identical cophenetic correlation coefficient 0.744 for both factors. The Sørensen index was < 0.6, indicating that groups share 60% recorded. showed selected filters (ornithogenic soils, non-ornithogenic soils geological extracts) did not underlie consistent groupings, conclude other environmental topographical factors are likely be responsible shaping community structure Bay. To effective management Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) No. 1 Protected (ASPA) 128, robust assessments ecosystem biodiversity necessary assist decision-making processes mandated under Treaty System, one whose founding principles is preservation ecosystem.