The distribution and identity of terrestrial plant communities of the Lower Taylor Valley including lichens, mosses, hypolithic and endolithic algae

In the 1989-1990 season collecting trips were made to the Kukri Hills and to Mt. Falconer to prepare an initial species list of the Lower Taylor Valley. In the 2002-2003 season walking trips were made throughout the Lower Taylor Valley to discover the distribution and identity of lichen and mosses in the area. A survey was carried out on the valley floor and on the approaches to Mt Falconer and the Nussbaumriegel for endolithic algae. Hypolithic algae (underneath the rock along the interface with soil) growth of cyanobacteria on translucent quartz rocks were found frequently on the valley floor. A large biomass of photoautotrophic organisms living in rocks that had not previously been discovered was surveyed. Samples were collected for cultivation and molecular methods of investigation.