Influence of climate change on Antarctic flora

Biodiversity of Antarctica includes climatically adapted microflora. Antarctic flora mainly contains cryptogams and are dominated by lichens, followed by mosses and algae. Among three bio-geographic zones of Antarctica, Sub-Antarctic zone is the most diverse and followed by Maritime and Continental zone. The Antarctic plant growth is largely limited to the coastal areas of Sub- and Maritime Antarctic regions. Two vascular plants; Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis are restricted along with other cryptogams at Antarctic Peninsula region. The average increase in temperature is the most prominent change in Antarctic Peninsula. Due to favorable conditions, cryptogams (lichens and mosses) are widely distributed in several localities of Antarctica. The algal growth is restricted to the semi permanent to permanent snow or melt ice and in floating water bodies of Antarctica. About 700 non-marine algal taxa were recorded from the different region of the Antarctica. Beside this, 200 additional taxa have been recorded from the continental Antarctica. The changes in temperature, pattern of cyclonic activity, availability of nutrients, water, high UV-B radiation along with other stresses posses obstacles for survival and distribution of Antarctic flora.