The flora of the South Sandwich Islands, with particular reference to the influence of geothermal heating

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2699.2000.00512.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T04:15:27Z
• Authors: P. Convey; R. I. Lewis Smith; D. A. Hodgson; H. J. Peat
• Keywords: Archipelago; Flora; Phytogeography; Bryophyte

Abstract Aim To carry out as comprehensive a survey practicable of the flora (higher plants, mosses, liverworts, lichens, basidiomycete fungi and diatoms) isolated, volcanically active, South Sandwich Islands archipelago in southern Atlantic. relate components this to (1) influence local geothermal heating (2) wider regional floras. Location Islands, Atlantic Ocean, maritime Antarctic (56–60° S, 26–28° W). Methods Ice‐free accessible sites on all 11 major islands were visited by helicopter January 1997. During each visit, voucher specimens floral group collected. The comprehensiveness collections obtained at site varied with duration visit (a function tight logistic constraints) extent site. Visit from 1 9 h most sites, longer periods spent Bellingshausen Island (2 days) Leskov (1 day). Candlemas was examined greater detail over 4‐week period February At particular attention given areas influenced heating. Results Data 1997 are combined updated records only previous (in 1964) provide baseline description archipelago, which currently includes phanerogam, 38 5 fungi, 41 lichenised 16 diatoms with, additionally, several taxa identified genus. Major elements moss liverwort floras composed American (32% 73%, respectively), further 45% mosses having bipolar or cosmopolitan distributions. These two groups show low levels endemicity (11% 18%, respectively). In contrast, 52% lichens 80% endemic Antarctic. A 36% bipolar/cosmopolitan, 5% origin. Main Conclusions is clearly derived those other zones. unheated ground closely related that Antarctic, although very limited number species represented. That heated contains both sub‐Antarctic elements, confirming importance for successful colonisation latter group. occurrence confirms extreme severity archipelago’s climate comparison well‐studied much south biogeographical zone.