Seasonal changes of some environmental factors around the moss vegetation near Syowa Station,East Antarctica

Seasonal changes of environmental factors around the moss vegetation such as snow drift, water supply and temperature were investigated in the vicinity of Syowa Station from February 1983 to January 1984. Topographical features around the vegetation are basically concerned in the formation of snow drift. After late September the depth of snow cover gradually decreased and in October the vegetation was partially exposed from snow. In early December water traces were recognized beneath the snow. In contrast with a decay of the snow drift, the water content of moss turves increased and reached a maximum value of 125.8% during the period from late December to early January. Each small moss colony composing the vegetation had its own pattern of water supply which was considered to be related with small streams from the drift. Referring to the water supply, temperature profile and moss growth were also discussed

The Environmental and Genetic Approach for Life on Earth (EAGLE) project

AbstractThe Transdisciplinary Research Integration Center (TRIC) advances the basic objectives under the umbrella of the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS). The TRIC co-ordinates the development of novel fields of research within the Inter-University Research Institute Corporation of Japan. The TRIC program fosters integrated research and develops information platforms that support the quest for new paradigms in the fields of Earth science and life systems. The project, “Environmental and Genetic Approach for Life on Earth with a Study of Relevant Modeling and Prediction Techniques (EAGLE)” began under the TRIC program in 2005. The goal of the EAGLE project is to improve our understanding of ecosystems on Earth and to investigate the mechanisms leading to the evolution of life and the adaptation of species as a result of past environmental changes. The EAGLE project is also positioned as a national project of the “Microbiological and Ecological Responses to Global Environmental Changes in polar regions (MERGE) program”, so called, “MERGE-Japan” which was initiated as part of the International Polar Year (IPY, 2007–2008). A general outline of the current achievements and discussion of the EAGLE project during the IPY period are presented in this progress report

Trace Elements in the Hairs of Wintering Members of the 13th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.

The concentrations of six trace elements, Hg, Au, Cu, Zn, Sb and Br, in the hairs collected from 10 members of the wintering party of the 13th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (1971-1973) during their stay in Antarctica, were measured by neutron activation analysis. The mercury concentration in the hair decreased and its distribution range became narrower during one year-long stay in Antarctica. And its concentration increased and scattered over a wide range again after the party members returned to Japan. The extremely high concentration of antimony suggests that the hair was contaminated by enviromental pollution on board the icebreaker FUJI. No obvious trend was found in the concentrations of other elements during the stay in Antarctica

Notes on floral traits and gender expression of Dryas octopetala under a simulated environmental change

This study presents empirical data for variations of floral traits and gender expression in Arctic Dryas octopetala L. under a simulated environmental amelioration using an open-top chamber (OTC). The short-term experiment (from 8 August 1997 to 2 August 1998) demonstrated in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard that dry weights of gynoecium, peduncle, and hermaphrodite flowers were significantly heavier, whereas petal and androecium weight were significantly lighter in OTC-manipulated shoots than in controls. As a result, "femaleness" (dry-weight allocation to the female organs) showed a significantly higher value in OTC-manipulated shoots as compared to the controls. Moreover, femaleness was significantly positively correlated with flower weight both in OTC-manipulated and control shoots. Thus, it was experimentally demonstrated that the gender as a reproductive effort of D. octopetala flowers changed from male- to female-biased expression under a less stressful condition

Morphological variation and taxonomic interpretation in the moss genus Bryum in Antarctica

The potential for morphological variation in Antarctic species of Bryum is evaluated and related to problems associated with taxonomic interpretation based on specimens from the Soya Coast, Mac. Robertson Coast, Vestfold Hills and Knox Coast. B. argenteum HEDW. Has been positively determined for Continental Antarctica from six localities on the Soya Coast and from Ross Island, southern Victoria Land. Specimens from the Vestfold Hills and Knox Coast considered with some reservation as this species are here referred to B. pseudotriquetrum (HEDW.) GAERTN, MEYER et SCHERB. B. pseudotriquetrum is widespread in the Antarctic region and includes many species formerly regarded as distinct taxa. Small specimens and those with physical damage to the upper parts of leaves may confused with B. argenteum. It is concluded that only two species of Bryum, B. argenteum and B. pseudotriquetrum, are represented in the Continental Antarctic flora, confirming H. OCHI\u27S (Mem. Natl Inst. Polar Res., Spec. Issue, 11, 70, 1979) taxonomic conclusion

Allelopathic effort of penguin excrements and guanos on the growth of Antarctic soil algae

An experiment was carried out to ascertain the effect of substances in the soil of Adelie penguin rookery on the growth of algae isolated from the Antarctic soil. In the paper disc test, both of acetone and water extracts of guano soil gave an inhibitive effect on the algal growth. It was recognized that acrylic and oxalic acids were the algal growth inhibitors. The function of the oxalic acid as a new growth inhibitor of algae was examined by comparing it with that of acrylic acid