Vegetation mapping of the Fryxell Stream flush, Taylor Valley

The Frxyell Stream flows into Lake Fryxell in the Taylor Valley. Canada Pond lies upstream of Lake Fryxell adjacent to the Canada Glacier. The Fryxell Stream flush, both the upper flush (flush area upstream from Canada Pond) and the lower flush (flush area between Canada Pond and Lake Fryxell), was mapped in detail. The lower flush is rich with algal/bryophyte growth, whereas the upper flush is a large outwash area with sparse plant cover. The lower flush was mapped in detail by line transects (plants at selected intervals across the flush) and by % cover of plants in 20 x 20 cm quadrats. The upper flush was mapped in broad detail (major plant zone, plant type, substrate type) in a total area of 450 x 150 m or 7 hectares with a species list created for the area. Fertile mosses (with sporophytes or capsules) were found on the lower flush and large numbers of epilithic lichen thalli were found at the point where the Fryxell stream leaves Canada Pond.