The potential use of ultraviolet-absorbing compounds for reconstructing past climate in Antarctic mosses

Mosses which are the dominant plants in Antarctica, have to tolerate harsh environments such as cold temperatures, freezing and desiccation. In addition, ozone depletion has led to increased ultra violet (UV) radiation level at the surface in Antarctica. Previous research reported that UV screening pigments called ultraviolet absorbing compounds (UVACs) accumulated in mosses when UV radiation was enhanced. Therefore, UVAC concentration change throughout Antarctic moss shoots might describe past changes in ozone concentration, thus UV radiation, and possibly other climates over Antarctica, for which direct data is not available. This study aimed to determine whether UVAC concentration in various Antarctic mosses changes over time and in response to past environmental factors such as ozone area/depth and water availability. In addition, this study investigated whether UVACs in Antarctic mosses can be used as biological proxies to reconstruct changes in past Antarctic climate.