Productivity of Bryophytes in Polar Regions

The productivity of various South Georgian moss species hasbeen measured and some comparative data from Disko Island, WestGreenland, are also considered. Two main aspects of growth havebeen assessed; crop growth-rate and net annual shoot production,using methods which included the coring of undisturbed standsand the growth of shoots in culture. It was demonstrated thatmethods must be selected with reference to the species to bestudied as differences in growth form affect the suitabilityof each technique. Considerable variation in productivity wasfound between sites and some habitat factors were identifiedwhich might account for these.