Abstract:
The transfer of nutrients from marine to terrestrial ecosystems are though to be important for vegetation. The transfer rate of organic nitrogen in the form of ammonia from the penguin colonies to the vegetation was analysed. Initial estimates were carried out in the 04-05 season. Ammonia traps were set up to determine the potential for ammonia transfer, ammonia concentrations in air were made at ... 3 sites around the penguin rookery, bulk ammonia samples were collected in the centre of the rookery, lichens (Usnea sphacelata, Umbilicaria decussata and Xanthoria mawsonii) were collected at varying distances from the rookery for 15N analysis and sites remote from the rookery were identified as suitable for ammonia monitoring (Luther Lake, Red Castle Ridge and Football Saddle). Samples and lichen were analysed overseas. In the 05-06 season, the affect of proximity to the penguin rookery on phosphatase activity in several species of lichen and the natural abundance of 15N in lichens in the area was assessed. As in the previous season, ammonia traps were set up, ammonia concentrations in air were made at 5 sites, bulk ammonia samples were collected in the centre of the rookery and lichens (Usnea sphacelata, Umbilicaria decussata and Xanthoria mawsonii) were collected at varying distances from the rookery for 15N analysis. Ammonia concentrations were remeasured at the three remote sites (Luther Lake, Red Castle Ridge and Football Saddle).
