Ecological analysis of the cyanoprokaryotes of the Svalbard Archipelago
D. A. Davydov
Federal Research Centre "Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, Apatity, Russia
Keywords: cyanoprokaryotes, cyanobacteria, habitat classification, ecology, the Arctic, Svalbard
Abstract
An analysis of the ecological characteristics of cyanobacteria in Svalbard has been carried out. Two groups of habitats have been identified: aquatic and terrestrial. The main factor determining the development of cyanobacteria is considered to be the degree of water saturation. The variability of habitats can be represented as a gradient of moisture from typically aquatic to dry terrestrial habitats. Based on the number of findings and species richness, it can be concluded that the most favorable habitats for cyanobacteria in Svalbard are 1) rocky communities in conditions of sufficient moisture, 2) exposed soil surfaces on which biological soil crusts form, 3) slow, well-warmed streams, and 4) specific over-moistened habitats such as seepages. Using the example of the analysis of the ecological characteristics of species growing in the archipelago, it is shown that the concept of eurybiont properties of cyanobacteria is not tenable. The greatest plasticity is exhibited by Nostoc commune Vauch. ex Born. et Flah., Microcoleus autumnalis (Trev. ex Gom.) Strunecky et al., Calothrix parietina Thur. ex Born. et Flah., Oscillatoria tenuis C. Ag. ex Gom., Pseudanabaena frigida (Fritsch) Anagn. All of cyanobacterial species, including those mentioned above, have obvious ecological preferences. Analysis of the substrate specificity of cyanobacteria demonstrates that the greatest number of species are found in soil, rocky substrates, and moss-like environments.
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