Algal colonization of deglaciated and frost heaved soils in the Abisko region (subarctic Sweden)

0338795 - BC 2010 RIV FR eng C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Lukešová, Alena - Elster, Josef - Váňa, J. - Štursová, H.
Algal colonization of deglaciated and frost heaved soils in the Abisko region (subarctic Sweden).
Identification of Model Ecosystems in Extreme Environments, Workshop Proceedings, CAREX Publication 2. Strasbourgh: CAREX Project Office, European Science Foundation, 2009, s. 28-29.
[Identification of Model Ecosystems in Extreme Environments. Sant Feliu de Guixoles (ES), 30.11.2008-02.12.2008]
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT ME 945; GA MŠMT ME 934; GA MŠMT LA341
Grant - others:The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences(SE) FP6 506004
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60660521; CEZ:AV0Z60050516
Keywords : algal colonization * deglaciated and frost heaved soils * Abisko region
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour

Species composition and abundance of soil algae and cyanobacteria were studied using cultivation and epifluorescence microscopy techniques in nonsorted circles (frost boils) in 4 localities differing in altitude, bedrock and climatic conditions and in an altitudinal transect (about 2 km long) from the front of a glacier downslope to the valley. The richest communities of algae and cyanobacteria were observed in alkaline frost boils (44 species of eukaryotic algae and 16 species of cyanobacteria). In the deglaciated area, algae were the first phototrophic colonizers on the moraine in the front of a glacier and their species richness and abundance increased with the distance from the glacier. The best developed algal communities were found in sites with about 25% vascular plant cover, their importance decreased in densely vegetated sites in the end of a transect. Cosmopolitan green alga Pseudococcomyxa simplex was the most frequent species in the studied area.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0182473