Expeditions Go to Norwegian Coastal Express. Go to Hurtigruten Group. Info: We at Hurtigruten use cookies to optimize our websites for your needs. By using this website you consent to our cookie policy. How did plants get to Antarctica? Vascular plants in Antarctica Only two species of vascular plants are found on the entire continent: Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort. Other types of plant life in Antarctica Antarctica is home to an abundance of lichens, bryophytes, algae, and fungi.
The dominant plant of the lower slopes of the Island. Formerly known as Parodiochloa flabellata. Common in the damper areas of meadows. The flowers small and off yellow seem to come out at a different time to the leaves. Many fungi , liverworts and mosses have been reported from Bird Island.
It appears to favour the grass meadows. The stems are very thin, and the bifurcated leaf tips are brown, where the rest of the plant is green or colourless.
It may be mixed in with other species. Marchantia is the most easily recognisable liverwort on the island. The large thallus is often visible on the peat banks of the lower parts of the streams. Toggle navigation. Polar Operations Our operational strategy Our operational teams Operational collaborations Engineering and technology Polar fieldwork opportunities How to apply Pre-deployment training.
Search the site. Also in Antarctic wildlife Penguins Albatross Other birds. Whales and seals Fish and squid Krill. Land animals Plants. Tussock grass Parodiochloa flabellata , dark green and Antarctic hair grass Deschampsia antarctica , light green lawn The vegetation is predominantly made up of lower plant groups mosses , liverworts , lichens and fungi that are specially adapted to surviving in extreme environments — in particular tolerating low temperatures and dehydration.
Subantarctic islands The subantarctic islands have a milder and wetter climate more favourable for plant growth, meaning these islands possess a more diverse flora including a greater number of flowering plant species and some ferns. Tussock grass Parodiochloa flabellata stools eroded by elephant seal activity Wet habitats are covered by various kinds of bog, while drier terrain has extensive dry grassland with various herbs and, in exposed habitats, sparsely vegetated moss and lichen-dominated fellfield.
By far the dominant plant life on the continent are the mosses. With species known to live on Antarctica, it is hard to make generalizations about their habits other than to say they are pretty tough plants. Most live out their lives among the saturated rocks of the intertidal zones. What we can say about these mosses is that they support a bewildering array of microbial life, from fungi and lichens to protists and tardigrades. Even in this frozen corner of the world, plants form the foundation for all other forms of life.
Antarctic pearlwort Colobanthus quitensis. The coastal plant communities of Antarctica represent hotbeds of biodiversity for this depauperate continent. They reach their highest densities on the Antarctic Peninsula as well as on coastal islands such as south Orkney Islands and the South Shetland Islands. Here, conditions are just mild enough among the various rocky crevices for germination and growth to occur.
Still, life on Antarctica is no cake walk. Relatively little is known about Antarctic flora. Our knowledge is constantly being updated by new research.
Why live in Antarctica? How many people? Regional differences The Antarctic can be divided into two climatically distinct regions: The Maritime Antarctic — including much of the Antarctic Peninsula principally the western side , and nearby islands Continental Antarctica — including the continental mass and parts of the Eastern Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctic flora and their habitats Lichens species , bryophytes over 50 species , algae over species and fungi are all found in the Antarctic.
Terrestrial plant life in Antarctica is found in three types of habitats: Permanent snow free areas with little precipitation. Areas with winter snow accumulation and essential water being provided from summer melt. Exposed nunataks and mountain peaks surrounded by permanent ice. Some specialised plant habitats also include snow banks and volcanic ground.
Edaphic factors substrate characteristics e. Biotic factors effects from other animals and plants. Of these factors, the most important is the availability of water.
Volcanic ground A number of fumarole communities exist on volcanic ground in Antarctica. Impacts of climate change The polar desert is a good indicator of climate change. Research challenges Because Antarctica is so isolated and difficult to access, sampling is infrequent.
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