Relationships between periglacial features and vegetation development in Victoria Land, continental Antarctica

The relationships between vegetation patterns and periglacial features and their underlying ecology are still poorly understood and lack specific investigations in Antarctica. Here we present the results of vegetation colonization of different types of sorted patterned ground and gelifluction features (lobes and terracettes) at four sites in northern Victoria Land. This paper aims to understand the relationships between vegetation and the most widespread periglacial features in Victoria Land, discuss the role of periglacial features and vegetation in determining the ground surface temperature, and assess whether periglacial features provide ecological niches for vegetation colonization and development. Vegetation patterns are influenced by the feature type, mainly relating to patterned ground and debris island versus gelifluction features. The relations between vegetation and the periglacial features investigated in continental Antarctic are similar to those described for the Arctic, although in this part of the Antarctic vegetation is exclusively composed of cryptogams. Frost heave, ground texture and relief associated with different types of periglacial features provide a range of ecological niches sustaining vegetation biodiversity. Our data confirm the importance of periglacial features in shaping flora and vegetation biodiversity, as previously assessed only for the soil fauna in continental Antarctic.