Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial ecosystem research, 1986-1987
The apparent lifelessness of the Ross Desert is in marked contrast to the diversity of cryptoendolithic microorganisms inhabiting the interstices of sandstone rocks.  The endolithic habitat provides a protective niche for lichens, bacteria, algae, and fungi, enabling them to exist in an extremely dry and cold climate.  Composed solely of microorganisms living under the surface of rocks and totally lacking animals and protozoa, this ecosystem is controlled by measurable physical variables and well suited for ecosystem study and modeling.  The work of the antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial ecosystem research group has involved physical measurements of nanoclimate (microbial environment inside rocks) (Friedmann, McKay, and Nienow 1987), taxonomy (Darling, Friedmann, and Broady 1987; Hale 1987), microdistribution, organism-substrate interactions including the ongoing process of fossilization (Friedmann and Weed 1987), physiological ecology, and quantification of the nitrogen economy.
Friedmann
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Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee 32306-2043, USA.
Meyer
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D000864:Antarctic Regions; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008011:Lichens / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012106:Research; D012988:Soil Microbiology