INDEX OF ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE (IES) AS A TOOL TO PHYTOSSOCIOLOGICAL AND CONSERVATION STUDIES FOR MOSS SPECIES IN ADMIRALTY BAY AREA, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA.

Abstract

The Antarctic plant distribution depends on the environmental factors, like geomorphological conditions, as surface's stability, rock type and aeolian erosion. It establishes clear home ranges, leading some mosses species to be highly correlated to local geomorphology. During the austral summer 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 we carried out ecological studies at the ice-free areas adjoining the Polish Station Henri Arctowski and the Point Hennequim localities, both in the Admiralty Bay, inside of the King George Island, to study community structure of mosses in these areas. This work presented potentials threats for the more representative moss species in these region, using the ecological value index as a tool for phytosociological and conservation studies. Ninenth, for fifty-eigth species of mosses know for Admiralty Bay area occur more frequently. Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske and Polytrichastrum alpinum (Hedw.) G. L. Smith show as low threats and Bryum amblyodon Müll. Hal., Ditrichum hyalinum Mitt. Kuntze, Pohlia drumondii (Müll. Hal.) A.L. Andrews and Schistidium falcatum (Hook. f. et Wils.) B. Bremer appear as the most threatened species, especialy by the human presence in the region.