PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF CONTINENTAL ANTARCTIC LICHENS

The northern and southern polar regions differ substantially in topogr aphy, climate, terrestrial habitats and in their biota. The Arctic flo ra comprises around 900 flowering plants, 600-700 bryophytes and 2000 lichens. The Antarctic flora is depauperate by comparison with only tw o flowering plants, 100-120 bryophytes, and probably only around 200 l ichens. Despite considerable taxonomic uncertainty, broad phytogeograp hic patterns can be outlined, with species having a Maritime Antarctic , Peninsula and Lesser Antarctic, Circum-Antarctic, and Disjunct distr ibution pattern. The extent of endemism in the flora is unclear. The o rigin of the Antarctic lichen flora appears ancient in part, although there is ample evidence for post-Pleistocene or Holocene colonization and invasion. (C) 1995 The British Lichen Society