Ukrainian polar explorers discover new plant species in Antarctica: Incredible photos
Polar explorers discovered liverworts at Vernadsky Research Base (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian scientists in the Vernadsky Research Base have discovered a plant species that did not grow there before. This could be another indication of warming in Western Antarctica, according to the National Antarctic Scientific Center.
Details
The plant species identified by Ukrainian scientists is Marchantia berteroana. Initially, it was discovered on the northeastern cape of Darboux Island by a participant of a seasonal expedition, Ivan Parnikoza, head of the Department of Biology and Ecology at the National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC).
This location is well-documented in archival sources: in the 1980s, British researchers studied rare moss species there and thoroughly described the local vegetation.
Ivan Parnikoza found these species and, alongside them, the scientist identified large green areas of the new species. British researchers, while studying these rocks, could not have missed it.
"We have evidence of a new plant species infiltrating the surroundings of Vernadsky. Later, Ukrainian biologists also found this liverwort on But Island - the northernmost area in our region of the Argentine Islands - the Kyiv Peninsula," the announcement states.
What is known about liverworts
Researchers note that the appearance of a new species may be further evidence of warming in the region. Liverworts are quite thermophilic and previously grew in much more favorable regions of the maritime Antarctic.
Therefore, if they have now spread to the Vernadsky area, the conditions have become better for them there.
Polar scientists point out that in Ukraine, one can see a relative of the southern Marchantia - Marchantia polymorpha. Its presence in Antarctica has not been confirmed yet.
Moreover, Antarctica is becoming increasingly green, and the new green element in the Vernadsky area is the southern Marchantia.
Liverworts (Photo: facebook.com/AntarcticCenter)
Liverworts (Photo: facebook.com/AntarcticCenter)
Liverworts (Photo: facebook.com/AntarcticCenter)
