Preliminary Survey on Surface Coverage around Pedro Vicente Maldonado Station, Antarctica

A preliminary survey on the surface coverage at the headland of Greenwich Island was conducted on 11 February 2008 during late summer in Antarctica by using a 1 m2 quadrate. The survey was conducted on two line transects which covered a total area of 160 m2. Results reveal that 90.4 % of Greenwich headland is covered by rocks, stones and pebbles. Mosses are the predominant vegetation in the area. Mosses contributed 9% of the total surface area while vascular plants (Columbatus quitensis) covered 0.6% of the surface area. Mosses were found extensively in flat land area where the soil was moist while C. quitensis was found in higher altitude areas with lower soil moisture contents. There is distinctive patchiness vegetation. No vegetation was found by the seaside and areas with relatively thinner layer of top soil.