Antarctica's vegetation in a changing climate

Antarctica plays a central role in regulating global climatic and oceanographic patterns is an integral part of climate change discussions. The functioning Antarctica's terrestrial ecosystems dominated by poikilohydric cryptogams such as lichens, bryophytes, eukaryotic algae, cyanobacteria there are only two native species vascular plants. vegetation highly adapted to the region's extreme conditions but, at same time, it potentially susceptible fluctuations. Biological responses shifts temperature, water availability, wind patterns, snow, ice cover complex, taxa-specific act on different temporal spatial scales. In maritime Antarctica, where warming mass loss outlet glaciers have been mainly observed, expected show increases productivity, abundance, cover. continental observational experimental evidence still sparse, but pointing toward even drier harsher for survival. We need more information what observed predicted changes Antarctic regions ecosystems. This will inform us how environmental human impact shape future these ecosystems, whether speed magnitude habitat-specific effects implications. unique changing this review, we describe current situation, tools measure, evaluate likely look future. article categorized under: Climate, Ecology, Conservation > Observed Ecological Changes Assessing Impacts Climate Change Evaluating Future Modeling Species Community Interactions