Photosynthetic microbes in freezing deserts.
Polar deserts are not devoid of life despite the extreme low temperature and scarcity of water. Recently, patterned stone fields--caused by periglacial activity--have been surveyed in the Arctic and Antarctic. It was found that the productivity of the cyanobacteria and algae (hypoliths) that colonise the underside of the stones is strongly related to the pattern of the stones. The hypolith assemblages were in some cases as productive as lichens, bryophytes and plants that resided nearby.
Thomas
David N
DN
Biogeochemistry Group, School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales-Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK. d.thomas@bangor.ac.uk
D000864:Antarctic Regions; D001110:Arctic Regions; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D003889:Desert Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D005615:Freezing; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*