Modern pollen-spore rain in Schirmacher oasis, East Antarctica

Pollen analysis of five moss cushions and three dry algal mat samples collected from the vicinity of Lake Priyadarshini in Antarctica has been carried out to elucidate the interplay of pollen and spores deposited in the sediments. The encounter of different pollen and spore types reflects their long-distance transport ranging from tropical to temperate floristic regions around Antarctica mainland which is devoid of any higher plant taxa, except for members of Poaceae and Caryophyllaceae. Lower plants such as mosses, lichens and algae do inhabit the region, often forming gregarious patches or colonies.