Abstract:
Vegetation and environmental studies were conducted at sites on Ross Island and in North Victoria Land, including Terra Nova Bay (Edmonson Point, Northern Foothills, Cape Washington, Mount Melbourne, Tarn Flat - Gerlache Depression, Mount Browning, Kay Island) and Wood Bay, 100 sites in total. Assessment included detailed field sampling, the range of moisture, temperature, exposure and parent
... rock conditions of the coastal ranges up to c. 1000m altitude. For vegetation-environmental studies, all ice free areas were reconnoitred and visually stratified. A small quadrat was randomly positioned at 25 loci within each vegetation unit. Cover of plant species, dead material and "species" were estimated at each locus, along with vegetation height for the whole sample. The overall contribution of each stratum to the landscape was estimated. Environmental parameters recorded at each sample site were altitude, slope, aspect, soil depth, height below general topography, distance from nearest snow patch, distance from nearest promontory, distance from coast, wind speed at 1.7m and at 0.25m above ground, substrate humidity, temperature of air, shaded air, surface and deep substrate, moisture using a 5 point index. A soil sample was collected at sites where substrate texture was suitable for subsequent nutrient and salinity analysis. A climate logger was set up at Terra Nova Bay which recorded at 15 minute intervals including solar radiation, wind speed, relative humidity, temperatures (air, ground surface, 100mm soil) and plant surface temperature. Localised experimental sites were established near Skua Lake, Carezza Lake, 'Acarospora Ridge' and Terra Nova Bay Station in the Northern Foothills, and at Gondwana Station on the north side of Gerlache Inlet. One site was set up above Scott Base. These will monitor growth rates of lichen and mosses and their recuperative powers following experimental disturbance. Photographic transects established at Terra Nova Bay Station in 1986/87 were reassessed. The plots at Edmonson Point were permanently marked, assessed and rephotographed. On Mount Melbourne, 'Cryptogram Ridge' was monitored by photography, measurement of heat flux and establishment of a new transect line. General observations were made of environmental impacts at Scott Base, McMurdo Base, Terra Nova Bay Station and Gondwana Station. 
