Flora and fauna of Antarctica

Despite the climate of Antarctica , you can find a large number of species of flora and fauna both on land and in the sea.

The flora of Antarctica is mainly made up of lower plants , that is, species of lichens , fungi and mosses . Being lichens the best adapted to the climatic conditions of the territory. In general, the vegetation is distributed from the Subantarctic Islands to the South Pole itself.

As for the fauna species of Antarctica , some such as the Weddell seal or the emperor penguin, are unique. However, most are migratory , they reproduce and feed their young during the summer in Antarctica and once the season is over they leave the continent. Others, for example, such as orcas, whales or the leopard seal, breed in warmer waters, but feed in Antarctic waters. In addition, some species such as petrels, cormorants and terns, among others, live in colonies in coastal areas. There are also those, such as checkerboard petrels or Antarctic pigeons, which nest in more isolated areas.

Next, some of the plant species that make up the flora of Antarctica will be shown , including two flowering plants:

Antarctic grass (Deschampsia antarctica)

This plant has flowers and is a self-pollinating species that grows in the summer months. The effects of climate change, such as the increase in temperature, are causing the population of this species to increase.

Antarctic carnation (Colobanthus quitensis)

It is the other plant that presents flowers, although its yellow flowers rather have the appearance of moss. This plant normally grows in areas where rainfall is adequate and the climate is temperate, these conditions usually occur in the west and north of the continent.

Kerguelen cabbage (Pringlea antiscorbutica)

Plant native to Antarctica with some resemblance to the common cabbage plant, discovered on the island of Kerguelen. It is self-pollinating, so its location on the windy islands of the contain is ideal.

Cushion Lyallia (Lyallia kerguelensis)

Endemic to the Kerguelen Islands, they breed in small populations in the alpine moors and moraines. They can live up to 16 years.

Other species of flora of Antarctica

• Lichens (Usnea sp)
• Ross Island Moss (Sarconeurum glaciale)
• Hair Moss (Polytrichum sp)
• Signy Island Moss (Schistidium antarctici)
• Windmill Islands Grimmia (Grimmia antarctici)

Here below you can see four photos of the Antarctic plants that have been described before, in the same order.

Here are some of the animal species that make up the fauna of Antarctica :

Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

This species of penguin can weigh up to 45 kg and measure 120 cm. They cannot fly, although their body is adapted for marine life, being able to dive to hunt for an average time of 18 minutes and more than 15 m deep.

Minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)

The southern fin whale is one of the smallest species of the fin whales. This species of whale is found inhabiting the southern oceans of the planet.

Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii)

This mammal is normally found in ice-free areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is not migratory and they are very well adapted to the cold thanks to the large layers of fat that cover their organs.

Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)

The southern giant petrel as its name suggests is the largest of the petrel species and they are characterized by their type of low flight.

Other species of fauna of Antarctica

• Chinstrap Penguin ( Pygoscelis antárctica )
• Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata)
• Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)
• Wandering Albatross ( Diomedea exulans)
• Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)
• Checkerboard Petrel ( Daption capensis)
• Humpback or jubarta whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae)
• Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx)
• Antarctic fur seal or Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella)
• Blue-eyed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps bransfieldensi)
• Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
• Antarctic pigeon (Chionis alba)
• South polar skua ( Catharacta maccormicki)
• Antarctic petrel (Thalassoica antárctica)
• Snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea)
• Krill (Euphausia superba)
• Comb jellyfish ( Phylum Ctenophora)
• Southern Fulmar ( Fulmarus glacialoides)
• Antarctic limpet ( Nacella concinna)

Below you can see four photos of the Antarctic animals that have been described earlier, in the same order.

The endangered plants and animals of Antarctica are:

Antarctic plants in danger of extinction

The plant species of Antarctica are being threatened by climate change. However, there is currently no evidence that there are endangered plant species.

Endangered Antarctic Animals

• Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ).
• Emperor penguin ( Aptenodytes forsteri ).
• Crabeater seal ( Lobodon carcinophagus ).
• Adelie penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae ).
• Nototenoid fish or Antarctic fish.