Entrapment of long-distance transported pollen grains by various moss species in coastal Victoria Land, Antarctica

In northern Victoria Land (continental Antarctica, between 72-degrees and 76-degrees-S, 162-degrees and 169-degrees-E), 18 moss samples have been collected and analysed for the presence of pollen. In turfs and cushions of 8 different moss species, at least 27 pollen taxa could be identified. The Pinus-type pollen and those of grasses were very common. More than 60% of the total grains were damaged or could not be identified. There is evidence that the Antarctic continent could act as a sink for wind-transported pollen from sub-Antarctic islands or from plants (native or cultivated) in South America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. However, the pollen concentration in air (less-than-or-equal-to 1 pollen grain/100 m3) and its entrapment rate on moss (about 0.12 grain/cm2/year) result in a very low pollen density in these plants.