Abstract Areas of high concentration of seal carcasses have been observed in localized areas of James Ross Island, Antarctica. Such carcasses show an unusual vegetation development, in a semi-arid area with bare soils under intense winds, high salinity and sandy texture. We investigated carcasses of seals around a lake in James Ross Island, with four different stages of decomposition, with three replicates: Seal (S01), with recently mummified carcasses; S02, with partially degraded carcasses; S03, with broken carcasses with partially degraded exposed bones, and S04, with completely broken, scattered skeletons. The vegetation showed a maximum degree of development in carcasses at stages S02 and S03, with the environment between the skin and the skeleton as the preferred place for vegetation establishment. The chemical alteration was greater with increasing carcass decomposition but reduced with the spreading and final decomposition of the bones, with anomalous values observed only in the vicinity of the carcasses. It is concluded that the presence of carcasses of seals, concentrated in wet places, even in a semi-desert climate, represent important oases of nutrients, with a combination of physical and chemical effects throughout the decomposition process that favor plant establishment and succession.

Abstract Understanding the influence of soil-forming factors and processes in ornithogenic soils is important to predict impacts of climate change on Antarctic ecosystems. Herein, we analyzed the soil-landscape interplays and development of ornithogenic soils at Harmony Point (HP), Nelson Island. We collected, described, and classified 24 soil profiles, combined with vegetation and landforms descriptions. Geoprocessing techniques were employed for mapping. Soil physical, chemical, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses were applied. Patterned ground, “Ornithogenic”/Typic Gelorthent, and moss carpets were the dominant landform, soil and vegetation classes, respectively. Soils from rocky outcrops were more structured, acidic, with higher organic carbon, organometallic complexes, and secondary phosphate minerals, due to former bird influence. Soils from cryoplanated platforms presented higher water pH, base saturation, clay content, and secondary silicate minerals. Soils from marine terraces presented high exchangeable bases, phosphorous, and amorphous phosphate minerals. Soil chemical weathering is enhanced by ornithogenesis and widespread in HP. Besides ornithogenesis, organic matter accumulation, cryoturbation, and cryoclastic processes are also important to pedogenesis of ornithogenic soils. The soils of the cryoplanated platforms exhibited a gradient of pedogenetic development corresponding to increasing biota influence and distance from glacier. In contrast, soils of rocky outcrops were more developed even close to the glacier, due to ornithogenesis.

ABSTRACT Due the tolerance in soil degraded, Eucalyptus is widely used in reforestation area. This study aims to evaluate the fungi that use Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden as substrate in reforestation area in southern Brazil. Fungi were identified and macronutrient and micronutrient contents were evaluated in order to understand the relationship between the fungi and the substrate. There were 200 specimens found, categorized into 25 species belonging to 10 families of Agaricales (Basidiomycota, Fungi). Substrates used by fungi were branches, roots, stems, humus, and soil. Macronutrients mean level found in fungi followed the order Ca>K>P>Mg, and micronutrients S>Fe>Mn>Cu/B>Zn. C:N ratio mean was 13:1, associated with substrate degradation potential, since the enzymatic production of fungi is affected by disposition of these nutrients. The data obtained in this study allowed a better understanding of fungi associated with the exotic arboreal substrate, and their nutritional significance in reforestation area.

RESUMO Devido à tolerância em solos degradados, Eucalyptus é amplamente utilizado em áreas de reflorestamento. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os fungos que utilizam Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden como substrato em uma área de reflorestamento no sul do Brasil. Para compreender a relação dos fungos com o substrato, os mesmos foram identificados e os teores de macronutrientes e micronutrientes foram avaliados. Foram encontrados 200 espécimes divididos entre 25 espécies pertencentes a 10 famílias de Agaricales (Basidiomycota, Fungi). Os substratos utilizados pelos fungos foram galhos, raízes, caules, húmus e solo. Os teores médios de macronutrientes encontrados nos fungos seguiram a ordem Ca>K>P>Mg, e os micronutrientes S>Fe>Mn>Cu/B>Zn. A relação C:N foi de 13:1, associada ao potencial de degradação do substrato, uma vez que a produção enzimática dos fungos é afetada pela disposição desses nutrientes. Os dados obtidos neste estudo auxiliam em uma melhor compreensão dos fungos associados ao substrato arbóreo exótico e sua importância nutricional na área de reflorestamento.

Abstract Maritime Antarctica is one of the major terrestrial ecosystems dominated by lichens and mosses, which represent important ecological indicators. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the changes in associated communities of mosses-lichens diversity and coverage along a pedoenvironmental gradient on Half Moon Island, Maritime Antarctica. We focused on how patterns in associated communities of mosses-lichens species diversity (richness, species composition and beta diversity) and coverage are associated with soil properties using plant inventory data from 174 plots across 14 contrasting pedoenvironments. The results clearly show marked differences in soil properties along the pedoenvironmental gradient, which determine variations in species composition, richness and coverage. We presumed that these variations are common in Maritime Antarctica owing to varying periglacial processes, weathering degree, parent material and biological influence (especially by penguins and other birds). The community species richness and coverage along the pedoenvironmental gradient differ, nevertheless share common species present in most pedoenvironments, despite differences in coverage. We assume that most of the pedoenvironments are habitats to rare species that occur only under specific soil conditions, additionally promotes high β-diversity between pedoenvironments and low species similarity.

Abstract Ice-free areas of Antarctica represent an important study region that helps us understand how human activity affects plant communities and soil properties. The goal of this study was to determine the changes in plant composition and soil properties around a whale bone skeleton (WB) near Ferraz Station, King George Island, Antarctica from 1972 to 2020 (48 years). The WB was assembled in 1972 by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team. It is located in a large moss field and visited by many tourists. We studied the plant composition and development based on historical and recent photographs and phytosociological studies from 1986 to 2020. The soil was sampled in February 2009 to determine general properties. The results showed that human activity surrounding the WB directly affected the plant community composition and soil properties. The Syntrichia cushions were positively affected by the calcium deposits from bone dissolution. The principal component analysis revealed that mineralization of the bones increased soil nutrient assembly. A strong phosphatization process was observed in the WB area, similar to that in ornithogenic soils. The WB on the marine terrace enhanced soil fertility and changed the plant community.

Abstract The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced some of the most accelerated warming worldwide, resulting in the retreat of glaciers and creation of new areas for plant development. Information regarding the plant dispersal processes to these new niches is scarce in Antarctica, despite birds being important vectors elsewhere. Many bird pellets (with feed remains such as bones and feathers) are generated annually in Antarctica, which are light and easily transported by the wind and include vegetation that is accidentally or purposely swallowed. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence of plant fragments within skua (Stercorarius/Catharacta spp.) pellets collected from two sampling areas in the Maritime Antarctic: Stinker Point (Elephant Island, 17 samples) and Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, 60 samples), in the South Shetland Archipelago, during the austral summers of 2018 and 2020. In both study areas, five species of Bryophyta were found that were associated with the pellets and viable in germination tests in a humid chamber. The ingestion of Bryophyta for the skuas contribute to the dispersion of different moss species, including to areas recently exposed by the ice retreat. This is the first demonstration that skua pellets effectively act in the dispersion of Antarctic mosses.

Abstract In the Antarctic environment, yeasts are versatile eukaryotes that have shown wide dispersion in different substrates, producing active enzymes in extreme conditions, but their relevance in biotechnological applications is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of extracellular hydrolases by yeasts isolated from Antarctic lichens and molecularly identify these isolates. From a total of 144 isolates on the screening, 109 (76%) produced at least one of the hydrolases tested, with most activities for proteases 59 (41%), cellulases 58 (40%), esterases 57 (39%), lipases 29 (20%), amylases 23 (16%) and pectinases 20 (14%). Among these isolates, 76 were identified, most belonged to the phylum Basidiomycota (n=73) with the dominance of Vishniacozyma victoriae (n=27), Cystobasidium alpinum (n=3), Mrakia niccombsii (n=3), Cystobasidium laryngis (n=2), Bannozyma yamatoana (n=2), Holtermanniella nyarrowii (n=2), and Glaciozyma martinii (n=2). This study is the first one reporting extracellular enzyme production by yeasts isolated from thallus of the species of Antarctic lichens Lecania brialmontii, Polycauliona candelaria, Usnea capillacea, Cladonia metacorallifera, and Polycauliona regalis. With these data, it’s possible to confirm lichens as a source of hydrolase-producing yeasts, reinforcing the potential of these microorganisms in bioprospecting studies of catalytic molecules from polar regions that may be useful in promising biotechnological applications.

Abstract Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) are found in the Antarctic. They build their nests with rock fragments, disturbing large areas during incubation and chick feeding periods; however, their impact on vegetation is unknown. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Petrel nests and associated breeding activities on the diversity and structure of cryptogam communities of Stinker Point, Elephant Island. We selected 13 nests in February and March 2012 and continue the monitoring in 2018. The area of direct influence of breeding activities was photographed to calculate plant community coverage. The results demonstrated that species richness, community coverage and composition, and beta diversity showed significant differences between active and inactive nests. The linear mixed-effect models revealed that the positive effect of nest area mainly caused variation in community coverage, but had a negative effect on beta diversity. Sphaerophorus globosus (lichen) grew around the inactive nests, sometimes forming a ring up to 1 m in diameter. This ring was then surrounded by the Chorisodontium acyphyllum moss colonized by S. globosus, and a final ring of Sanionia uncinata, colonized by the same lichen. Recently constructed nests are generally surrounded by Prasiola crispa and Sanionia uncinata carpets.

Abstract The geomorphic dynamics on ice-free areas are crucial for understanding soil formation, vegetation and landscape stability in maritime Antarctic. We aimed to describe the soil formation on different landforms, following the Holocene glacial retreat at Stinker Point. Twenty profiles were sampled and classified, grouped into three landforms units: middle platforms and scarps, till/glacial deposits and present/Holocene raised beaches. Soil chemical and physical attributes were determined, and the vegetation type identified and quantified. Soils from till and glacial deposits can be separated by the age of exposure: older soils are stony, skeletic; and recently exposed till has soils with moderate depth, alkaline reaction and very high base saturation. Soils at the middle platforms are shallow, coarse-grained, skeletic, with abundant vegetation. Soils from the present-day beaches are alkaline, very coarse with no horizon differentiation, whereas soils on Holocene beaches are acid and nutrient-rich due to past or present-day influence of fauna. Soils from Stinker Point are generally shallow, skeletic and strongly related to the landforms and biogenic influences. Compared with other islands of the South Shetlands, in Elephant Island soil development is less pronounced, being this mainly attributed to the metamorphic nature of parent material, with greater resistance to weathering.

Resumo Na segunda década do século XX, etálios de Lycogala flavofuscum foram coletados no Brasil pelo Padre Johannes Rick. Apesar de facilmente observada em campo, devido ao tamanho dos etálios, a espécie só foi novamente encontrada em 2019, sobre tronco vivo de Sebastiania commersoniana (branquilho, Euphorbiaceae), no município de São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Apresenta-se a descrição e ilustração do material recentemente coletado, e dados sobre as exsicatas coletadas por Rick provenientes do Brasil, depositadas no Herbário BPI. Com base em fontes bibliográficas e catálogos de herbários, são fornecidas informações sobre substratos, microhabitats e distribuição geográfica da espécie nos Neotrópicos. Considerando o amplo intervalo de tempo entre os registros e a restrita área de ocorrência no país, recomenda-se sua inclusão como quase ameaçada na Lista Vermelha do Brasil.

Abstract In the second decade of the 20th century, Lycogala flavofuscum aethalia were collected in Brazil by Rev. Johannes Rick. Despite being easily observed in the field because of the size of the aethalia, the species was only found again in 2019, on a live trunk of Sebastiania commersoniana (branquilho, Euphorbiaceae) in the municipality of São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The description and illustration of recently collected material, and data on exsiccates collected by Rick from Brazil, deposited at Herbarium BPI, are presented herein. Information on substrates, microhabitats, and geographic distribution of the species in the Neotropics is provided based on bibliographical sources and herbarium catalogs. Considering the large time interval between records and the restricted area of occurrence in the country, its inclusion as near threatened in the Brazilian Red List is recommended.

Abstract Few conservation studies have been done with Agaricales fungi (mushrooms) of the Andes and conservation areas created in many countries have no priorities in protecting fungi. Small areas can be also very important to preserve rare and unknown fungi species, but evaluations are still needed. Applying the technique of the transects in the natural reserve of Madre Monte in Arcabuco, Boyacá Province, in the Colombian Andes (a characteristic oak forest - Quercus humboldtii - Fagaceae), the diversity and ecological data were collected and compared to the fungi already known in the country and their conservation status, to understand how fungi are protected indirectly with the creation of preservation areas. The samples were identified at the Laboratorio del Grupo de Investigación Biología para la Conservación de la Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnológica of Colombia. A total of 331 specimens and 46 species of Agaricales were collected and identified. The presence of rare species, like Lactifluus gerardii, Cortinarius violaceus and Cortinarius boyacensis, reinforces the importance of creating more small areas in the preservation of mushroom species. Only 43 species of Agaricales were reported to the province, being 19 new citations to the area, what is an indication that the diversity in the Colombian Andes is higher than suspected and that even small conservation areas have of profound impact in fungi conservation. Some of the mushrooms found are also first references to Colombia, like Panaeolus rickenii and Protostropharia dorsipora, but these were found growing in horse manure, being introduced. The impact of domestic animals and exotic trees in the mycobiota of preservation areas needs to be better evaluated.

ABSTRACT The study of Colombian agaricobiota is relatively recent. The training of new researchers has allowed more taxonomic surveys, increasing the literature on the subject and indicating the relevance of ecological and conservation studies. During a field survey conducted in the oak forests (Quercus humboldtii) in the Madre Monte Nature Reserve, municipality of Arcabuco - Colombia, in October 2018, about 40 specimens of Agaricales mushrooms were collected. The species were identified following the usual methods in Agaricology of the Laboratorio del Grupo de Investigación Biología para la Conservación de la Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnológica de Colombia. We identified a few species: Campanella elongatispora Singer, Cheimonophyllum candidissimum (Berk. and Curt.) Singer, Marasmiellus bolivarianus Singer, and Pluteus chrysophlebius (Berk. and Curt.) Sacc., which were added as new citations to Colombia. An increase in the area of occurrence of certain species of Agaricales-mushrooms was also reported.

RESUMEN El estudio de la agaricobiota colombiana es relativamente reciente; la formación de nuevos investigadores ha permitido más levantamientos taxonómicos, aumentando la bibliografía sobre el tema y posibilitando la realización de estudios ecológicos y de conservación. En una salida a campo realizada a robledales (Quercus humboldtii) en la Reserva Natural Madre Monte, Municipio de Arcabuco - Colombia, en Octubre de 2018, fueron encontrados cerca de 40 especímenes de hongos Agaricales. Las colectas fueron identificadas por los métodos usuales en micología en el Laboratorio del Grupo de Investigación Biología para la Conservación de la Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnológica de Colombia. Del material estudiado se reportan nuevos registros de especies para el país y se aumentó el área de ocurrencia para otras especies. Campanella elongatispora Singer, Cheimonophyllum candidissimum (Berk. y Curt.) Singer, Marasmiellus bolivarianus Singer y Pluteus chrysophlebius (Berk. y Curt.) Sacc. son referencias nuevas para Colombia.

RESUMO Este estudo apresenta a descrição de Phaeosphaeria deschampsii, a qual foi encontrada em comunidades de plantas da Ilha Half Moon, Arquipélago das Shetland do Sul, Antártica, em fevereiro de 2014. Muitos céspedes de Deschampsia antarctica (Poaceae), a única espécie de Poaceae indígena na Antártica, foram encontrados mortos, parasitados por um fungo patógeno. Baseado no formato do peritécio, com pescoço oblíquo, erumpente dos tecidos da grama, forma dos ascósporos e septacão, a espécie foi identificada como nova para a ciência.

ABSTRACT This study presents the description of Phaeosphaeria deschampsii, which was found in plant communities from Half Moon Island, South Shetland Archipelago, Antarctica, in February 2014. Many patches of Deschampsia antarctica (Poaceae), the only indigenous Poaceae specie in Antarctic, were found dead, parasitized by a fungi pathogen. Based on the shape of its perithecia, with oblique neck, erumpent in the grass tissues, ascospore form and septation, the specie was identified as new to science.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents a comparative study of moss diversity in three collection sites in the South Shetland Islands (King George, Elephant, and Nelson Islands) and one in the Antarctic Continent (Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula). In the King George, Elephant, and Nelson Islands, the collections were done in ice-free areas during the austral summers of years 1988,1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1994. In Hope Bay, the collections were done in the 2009 summer (February). All collections were deposited in the HCB (Chaves Batista Herbarium). FINDINGS: The King George Area is the most diverse area and the Hope Bay has the lowest diversity stats. The diversity stats for each region and the similarities between both are presented. CONCLUSION: This results suggested that harder climatic conditions determine lower diversity for the bryoflora.

En este trabajo se presenta un estudio comparativo de tres puntos de muestreo de musgos en las Islas Shetland del Sur (Isla Rey Jorge, Elefante y Nelson) y el Continente Antártico (Bahía Esperanza, Península Antártica). En las Islas King George, Elefante y Nelson, se tomaron muestras en las zonas libres de hielo durante los veranos australes de años 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 y 1994. Hope Bay, las colecciones se hicieron en el verano austral de 2009 (febrero). Todas las colecciones fueron depositadas en el herbario de HCB (Herbario Chaves Batista). Los índices de diversidad para cada región se presentan, así como la similitud entre ellos.

As monoculturas diferem de matas nativas em relação à heterogeneidade vegetal, variedade de substratos e umidade do solo, podendo afetar a diversidade de organismos, tais como os fungos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a riqueza, abundância e composição de fungos Agaricomycetes em uma mata nativa e em uma monocultura de eucalipto. As coletas dos fungos foram realizadas em uma área de Floresta Estacional Decídua e em uma monocultura de Eucalyptus grandis, no noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A abundância e riqueza de fungos na monocultura de eucalipto foram significativamente inferiores às encontradas na mata nativa, assim como a composição de espécies diferiu entre as áreas. Portanto, a monocultura de eucalipto afeta negativamente a comunidade de fungos Agaricomycetes.

Monocultures differ from native forests in relation to plant heterogeneity, variety of substrates, and soil humidity, possibly altering the diversity of organisms, such as the fungi. This study aimed to compare the richness, abundance, and composition of Agaricomycetes fungi in a native forest and in a eucalypt monoculture. The fungi were collected in a seasonal deciduous forest area and in a Eucalyptus grandis monoculture, in the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The abundance and richness of fungi were significantly lower in the eucalypt plantation than in the native forest and the species composition differed between the areas. Thus, it was concluded that the eucalypt monoculture negatively affects the Agaricomycetes fungi community.