Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4.1
Physiographic-botanic zones of the circumarctic region (Image by AMAP)
complexes, 12 % barrens, 11 % mineral graminoid tundra, 11 % prostrate-shrub
tundra, and 7 % wetlands (Walker et al.
2005
).
Only 0.35 % of Antarctica is ice-free, and the ice-free regions are distributed like
a “no” or “don't” sign along the coast and across the continent as the Transantarctic
Mountains (see Fig.
2.6
)
. Longton (
1979
) reviewed the plant community ecology
within the “Antarctic Botanical Zone.” The vegetation is formed largely of mosses,
lichens, and algae, but two native species of fl owering plants (
Deschampsia
Antarctica
and
Colobanthus quitensis
) occur along the western Antarctic Peninsula
from 60 to 67°S. He was able to recognize eight physiognomically distinct subfor-
mations of cryptogam tundra (Fig.
4.3
).
