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Subantarctic region
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World map using color coding to show the distribution of major floral kingdoms, subkingdoms, and regions. Key floral kingdoms include Boreal (green), Neotropical (pink), Paleotropical (yellow), South African or Capensic (purple), Australian (orange), and Antarctic (blue). Boundaries for subkingdoms, regions, and divisions are marked with different colored lines, and major regions such as Indoafrican, North American, and Malesian are labeled across continents.
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Subantarctic region

biogeography
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World map using color coding to show the distribution of major floral kingdoms, subkingdoms, and regions. Key floral kingdoms include Boreal (green), Neotropical (pink), Paleotropical (yellow), South African or Capensic (purple), Australian (orange), and Antarctic (blue). Boundaries for subkingdoms, regions, and divisions are marked with different colored lines, and major regions such as Indoafrican, North American, and Malesian are labeled across continents.
Earth's floral regions Floral kingdoms, subkingdoms, and major regions of the world.

The Subantarctic region refers to areas just outside the Antarctic Circle. Biogeographically, it includes the southern tip of South America, New Zealand, and the Antarctic and subantarctic islands. This region shares flora with both Antarctic and Paleotropical kingdoms.12

Key characteristics include:
* Flora: Distinct forest flora, with Nothofagus (southern beech) being a prominent element. Seed plants primarily characterize these regions, unlike the spore-reproducing plants dominant in Antarctica.23
* Fauna: Antarctic waters are highly productive, supporting abundant zooplankton, phytoplankton, krill, whales, seals, fish, and seabirds. However, terrestrial life is scarce due to the harsh climate and extensive ice cover.45
* Climate: While Antarctica is a cold desert, subantarctic islands experience more maritime influence due to their location north of the Antarctic Convergence.35

Human activities, including introduced species and tourism, have impacted subantarctic ecosystems.35

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
6 Britannica Sources
  1. Antarctica - Sea life
  2. biogeographic region - Subantarctic region
  3. Antarctica - Plant life
  4. polar ecosystem - The Antarctic region
  5. Antarctica
  6. subantarctic

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