%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface %D 2023 %T Causes and characteristics of electrical resistivity variability in shallow (<4 m) soils in Taylor Valley, East Antarctica %A Gutterman, William S. %A Peter T. Doran %A Ross A. Virginia %A John E. Barrett %A Myers, Krista F. %A Tulaczyk, Slawek M. %A Foley, Neil T. %A Jill A. Mikucki %A Hilary A. Dugan %A Grombacher, Denys %A Bording, Thue S. %A Auken, E. %K active layer %K airborne electromagnetic surveys %K McMurdo Dry Valleys %K permafrost dynamics %X

Airborne electromagnetic surveys collected in December 2011 and November 2018 and three soil sampling transects were used to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of shallow (<4 m) soil properties in lower Taylor Valley (TV), East Antarctica. Soil resistivities from 2011 to 2018 ranged from ∼33 Ωm to ∼3,500 Ωm with 200 Ωm assigned as an upper boundary for brine-saturated sediments. Elevations below ∼50 m above sea level (masl) typically exhibit the lowest resistivities with resistivity increasing at high elevations on steeper slopes. Soil water content was empirically estimated from electrical resistivities using Archie's Law and range from ∼<1% to ∼68% by volume. An increase in silt- and clay-sized particles at low elevations increases soil porosity but decreases hydraulic conductivity, promoting greater residence times of soil water at low elevations near Lake Fryxell. Soil resistivity variability between 2011 and 2018 shows soils at different stages of soil freeze-thaw cycles, which are caused predominantly by solar warming of soils as opposed to air temperature. This study furthers the understanding of the hydrogeologic structure of the shallow subsurface in TV and identifies locations of soils that are potentially prone to greater rates of thaw and resulting ecosystem homogenization of soil properties from projected increases in hydrological connectivity across the region over the coming decades.

%B Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface %V 128 %P e2022JF006696 %8 02/2023 %G eng %U https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022JF006696 %N 2 %! JGR Earth Surface %R 10.1029/2022JF006696 %0 Journal Article %J The Cryosphere %D 2021 %T Thermal legacy of a large paleolake in Taylor Valley, East Antarctica, as evidenced by an airborne electromagnetic survey %A Myers, Krista F. %A Peter T. Doran %A Tulaczyk, Slawek M. %A Foley, Neil T. %A Bording, Thue S. %A Auken, Esben %A Hilary A. Dugan %A Jill A. Mikucki %A Foged, Nikolaj %A Grombacher, Denys %A Ross A. Virginia %X

Previous studies of the lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys have attempted to constrain lake level history, and results suggest the lakes have undergone hundreds of meters of lake level change within the last 20 000 years. Past studies have utilized the interpretation of geologic deposits, lake chemistry, and ice sheet history to deduce lake level history; however a substantial amount of disagreement remains between the findings, indicating a need for further investigation using new techniques. This study utilizes a regional airborne resistivity survey to provide novel insight into the paleohydrology of the region. Mean resistivity maps revealed an extensive brine beneath the Lake Fryxell basin, which is interpreted as a legacy groundwater signal from higher lake levels in the past. Resistivity data suggest that active permafrost formation has been ongoing since the onset of lake drainage and that as recently as 1500–4000 years BP, lake levels were over 60 m higher than present. This coincides with a warmer-than-modern paleoclimate throughout the Holocene inferred by the nearby Taylor Dome ice core record. Our results indicate Mid to Late Holocene lake level high stands, which runs counter to previous research finding a colder and drier era with little hydrologic activity throughout the last 5000 years.

%B The Cryosphere %V 15 %P 3577 - 3593 %8 08/2021 %G eng %U https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/15/3577/2021/ %N 8 %! The Cryosphere %R 10.5194/tc-15-3577-2021 %0 Journal Article %J Environmental Microbiology Reports %D 2020 %T Picocyanobacterial cells in near‐surface air above terrestrial and freshwater substrates in Greenland and Antarctica %A Trout‐Haney, Jessica V. %A Heindel, Ruth C %A Ross A. Virginia %X

Bioaerosols are an important component of the total atmospheric aerosol load, with implications for human health, climate feedbacks, and the distribution and dispersal of microbial taxa. Bioaerosols are sourced from marine, freshwater, and terrestrial surfaces, with different mechanisms potentially responsible for releasing biological particles from these substrates. Little is known about the production of freshwater and terrestrial bioaerosols in polar regions. We used portable collection devices to test for the presence of picocyanobacterial aerosols above freshwater and soil substrates in the southwestern Greenland tundra and the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. We show that picocyanobacterial cells are present in the near‐surface air at concentrations ranging from 2,431 to 28,355 cells m^−3 of air, with no significant differences among substrates or between polar regions. Our concentrations are lower than those measured using the same methods in temperate ecosystems. We suggest that aerosolization is an important process linking terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in these polar environments, and that future work is needed to explore aerosolization mechanisms and taxon‐specific aerosolization rates. Our study is a first step toward understanding the production of bioaerosols in extreme environments dominated by microbial life.

%B Environmental Microbiology Reports %8 03/2020 %G eng %U https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1758-2229.12832 %R 10.1111/1758-2229.12832 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences %D 2019 %T The hydroecology of an ephemeral wetland in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Wlostowski, Adam %A Schulte, Nicholas O. %A Byron Adams %A Ball, Becky %A Rhea M.M. Esposito %A Michael N. Gooseff %A W. Berry Lyons %A Uffe N. Nielsen %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %A Kathleen A. Welch %A Diane M. McKnight %K Antarctica %K desert hydrology %K diatom biodiversity %K hyporheic interactions %K wetlands %X

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) is a polar desert on the coast of East Antarctica where ephemeral wetlands become hydrologically active during warm and sunny summers when sub‐surface flows are generated from melting snowfields. To understand the structure and function of polar wetland ecosystems, we investigated the hydroecology of one such wetland, the Wormherder Creek wetland, during the warm and sunny summer of 2008 – 2009, when the wetland was hydrologically reactivated. Conservative tracer (LiCl) was injected for a 2‐hour period into a stream above the wetland to determine flow path orientations and hydrologic residence times. Tracer results indicated that surface water is rapidly exchanged with wetland groundwater and wetland residence times may exceed two austral summers. Major ion concentrations were uniform in samples from surface water and shallow groundwater throughout the wetland. Microbial mats in the wetland had high autotrophic index values (the ratios of chlorophyll a [Chl‐a]/ash‐free dry mass [AFDM]), ranging from 9‐38 μg Chl‐a/mg AFDM, indicative of actively photosynthesizing mat communities. The diatom communities in the mats were relatively uniform compared to those in mats from regularly flowing MDV streams, with four endemic and one widespread diatom taxa of the genus Luticola accounting for an average of 86% of the community. These results indicate that the hydrologic characteristics of the wetland contribute to uniform geochemical conditions. In turn, uniform geochemical conditions may explain the high autotrophic index values of the microbial mats and relatively low spatial variation of the diatom community.

%B Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences %8 11/2019 %G eng %U https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019JG005153 %R 10.1029/2019JG005153 %0 Journal Article %J Science Advances %D 2019 %T The polar regions in a 2°C warmer world %A Post, Eric %A Alley, Richard B. %A Christensen, Torben R. %A Macias-Fauria, Marc %A Forbes, Bruce C. %A Michael N. Gooseff %A Iler, Amy %A Kerby, Jeffrey T. %A Laidre, Kristin L. %A Mann, Michael E. %A Olofsson, Johan %A Stroeve, Julienne C. %A Ulmer, Fran %A Ross A. Virginia %A Wang, Muyin %X

Over the past decade, the Arctic has warmed by 0.75°C, far outpacing the global average, while Antarctic tem- peratures have remained comparatively stable. As Earth approaches 2°C warming, the Arctic and Antarctic may reach 4°C and 2°C mean annual warming, and 7°C and 3°C winter warming, respectively. Expected consequences of increased Arctic warming include ongoing loss of land and sea ice, threats to wildlife and traditional human livelihoods, increased methane emissions, and extreme weather at lower latitudes. With low biodiversity, Antarctic ecosystems may be vulnerable to state shifts and species invasions. Land ice loss in both regions will contribute substantially to global sea level rise, with up to 3 m rise possible if certain thresholds are crossed. Mitigation efforts can slow or reduce warming, but without them northern high latitude warming may accelerate in the next two to four decades. International cooperation will be crucial to foreseeing and adapting to expected changes.

%B Science Advances %V 5 %P eaaw9883 %8 12/2019 %G eng %U http://advances.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aaw9883 %N 12 %! Sci. Adv. %R 10.1126/sciadv.aaw9883 %0 Journal Article %J Geoderma %D 2018 %T Biogeochemical weathering of soil apatite grains in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Heindel, Ruth C %A W. Berry Lyons %A Sue Welch %A Spickard, Angela M %A Ross A. Virginia %X

The biogeochemical weathering of the mineral apatite links the lithosphere to the biosphere by releasing the essential nutrient phosphorus (P) into the soil ecosystem. In Taylor Valley, Antarctica, faster rates of apatite weathering may be responsible for the higher concentrations of bioavailable soil P that exist in the Fryxell Basin as compared to the Bonney Basin. In this study, we use scanning electron microscopy to quantify the morphology and surface etching of individual apatite grains to determine whether the degree of apatite weathering differs between the Fryxell and Bonney Basins as well as saturated and dry soil sediments. We show that apatite grains from the Fryxell Basin are rounder, have fewer intact crystal faces, and are more chemically etched than grains from the Bonney Basin. In the Bonney Basin, apatite grains from dry soils show few signs of chemical dissolution, suggesting that soil moisture is a stronger control on the rate of apatite weathering in the Bonney Basin than in the Fryxell Basin. In addition, etch-pit morphologies in the Bonney Basin are more clearly controlled by the hexagonal crystal structure of apatite, while in the Fryxell Basin, etch pits demonstrate a wide range of morphologies without clear crystallographic control. Higher rates of apatite weathering in the Fryxell Basin may be due to the legacy of the physical abrasion of apatite grains during transport by a warm-based ice sheet, as well as the higher levels of precipitation and soil moisture closer to the coast. Our grain-scale approach provides a new perspective on P cycling in the McMurdo Dry Valleys and has implications for apatite weathering and P dynamics in the early stages of soil development.

%B Geoderma %V 320 %P 136-145 %8 01/2018 %G eng %U https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016706117320694 %! Geoderma %R 10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.01.027 %0 Journal Article %J Ecology %D 2018 %T Observed trends of soil fauna in the Antarctic Dry Valleys: early signs of shifts predicted under climate change %A Andriuzzi, Walter S. %A Byron Adams %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %X

Long-term observations of ecological communities are necessary for generating and testing predictions of ecosystem responses to climate change. We investigated temporal trends and spatial patterns of soil fauna along similar environmental gradients in three sites of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, spanning two distinct climatic phases: a decadal cool- ing trend from the early 1990s through the austral summer of February 2001, followed by a shift to the current trend of warming summers and more frequent discrete warming events. After February 2001, we observed a decline in the dominant species (the nematode Scottnema lindsayae) and increased abundance and expanded distribution of less common taxa (rotifers, tardigrades, and other nematode species). Such diverging responses have resulted in slightly greater evenness and spatial homogeneity of taxa. However, total abundance of soil fauna appears to be declining, as positive trends of the less common species so far have not compen- sated for the declining numbers of the dominant species. Interannual variation in the propor- tion of juveniles in the dominant species was consistent across sites, whereas trends in abundance varied more. Structural equation modeling supports the hypothesis that the observed biological trends arose from dissimilar responses by dominant and less common spe- cies to pulses of water availability resulting from enhanced ice melt. No direct effects of mean summer temperature were found, but there is evidence of indirect effects via its weak but signif- icant positive relationship with soil moisture. Our findings show that combining an under- standing of species responses to environmental change with long-term observations in the field can provide a context for validating and refining predictions of ecological trends in the abun- dance and diversity of soil fauna. 

%B Ecology %V 99 %P 312 - 321 %8 02/2018 %G eng %U http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ecy.2090/full %N 2 %! Ecology %R 10.1002/ecy.2090 %0 Journal Article %J Soil Biology and Biochemistry %D 2018 %T Soil biological responses to C, N and P fertilization in a polar desert of Antarctica %A Ball, Becky %A Byron Adams %A John E. Barrett %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %X

 

In the polar desert ecosystem of the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, biology is constrained by available liquid water, low temperatures, as well as the availability of organic matter and nutrient elements. These soil ecosystems are climate-sensitive, where projected future warming may have profound effects on biological communities and biogeochemical cycling. Warmer temperatures will mobilize meltwater from permafrost and glaciers, may increase precipitation and may be accompanied by pulses of nutrient availability. Enhanced water and nutrient availability have the potential to greatly influence desert soil biology and ecosystem processes. The objectives of this 5-year study were to determine which nutrient elements (C, N, P) are most limiting to dry valley soil communities and whether landscape history (i.e., in situ soil type and stoichiometry) influences soil community response to nutrient additions. After 3 years of no noticeable response, soil CO2 flux was significantly higher under addition of C+ N than the other treatments, regardless of in situ soil stoichiometry, but microbial biomass and invertebrate abundance were variable and not influenced in the same manner. A stable isotope incubation suggests that fertilization increases C and N mineralization from organic matter via stimulating microbial activity, with loss of both the applied treatments as well in situ C and N. However, these responses are relatively short-lived, suggesting long-term impacts on C and N cycling would only occur if meltwater and nutrient pulses are sustained over time, a scenario that is increasingly likely for the dry valleys.

 

%B Soil Biology and Biochemistry %V 122 %8 07/2018 %G eng %U http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0038071718301081 %! Soil Biology and Biochemistry %& 7 %R 10.1016/j.soilbio.2018.03.025 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2018 %T Stable C and N isotope ratios reveal soil food web structure and identify the nematode Eudorylaimus antarcticus as an omnivore–predator in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Shaw, E. Ashley %A Byron Adams %A John E. Barrett %A W. Berry Lyons %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %X

Soil food webs of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica are simple. These include primary trophic levels of mosses, algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, archaea, and fungi, and their protozoan and metazoan consumers (including relatively few species of nematodes, tardigrades, rotifers, and microarthropods). These biota are patchily distributed across the landscape, with greatest faunal biodiversity associated with wet soil. Understanding trophic structure is critical to studies of biotic interactions and distribution; yet, McMurdo Dry Valley soil food web structure has been inferred from limited laboratory culturing and micro- scopic observations. To address this, we measured stable isotope natural abundance ratios of C (13C/12C) and N (15N/14N) for di erent metazoan taxa (using whole body biomass) to determine soil food web structure in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Nitrogen isotopes were most useful in di erentiating trophic levels because they fractionated predictably at higher trophic levels. Using 15N/14N, we found that three trophic levels were present in wet soil habitats. While cyanobacterial mats were the primary trophic level, the nematode Plectus murrayi, tardigrade Acutuncus antarcticus, and rotifers composed a secondary trophic level of grazers. Eudorylaimus antarcticus had a 15N/14N ratio that was 2–4‰ higher than that of grazers, indicating that this species is the sole member of a tertiary trophic level. Understanding the trophic positions of soil fauna is critical to predictions of current and future species interactions and their distributions for the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.

%B Polar Biology %V 41 %P 1013–1018 %8 05/2018 %G eng %U http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00300-017-2243-8 %N 5 %! Polar Biol %R 10.1007/s00300-017-2243-8 %0 Journal Article %J Frontiers in Microbiology %D 2018 %T Stoichiometric Shifts in Soil C:N:P Promote Bacterial Taxa Dominance, Maintain Biodiversity, and Deconstruct Community Assemblages %A Aanderud, Zachary T. %A Saurey, Sabrina D. %A Ball, Becky %A Diana H. Wall %A John E. Barrett %A Muscarella, Mario E. %A Griffin, Natasha A. %A Ross A. Virginia %A Byron Adams %K ecological stoichiometry %K Lake Fryxell Basin %K McMurdo Dry Valleys %K network community modeling %K nutrient colimitation %K Solirubrobacteriaceae %X

Imbalances in C:N:P supply ratios may cause bacterial resource limitations and constrain biogeochemical processes, but the importance of shifts in soil stoichiometry are complicated by the nearly limitless interactions between an immensely rich species pool and a multiple chemical resource forms. To more clearly identify the impact of soil C:N:P on bacteria, we evaluated the cumulative effects of single and coupled long-term nutrient additions (i.e., C as mannitol, N as equal concentrations NH4 + and NO3 − , and P as Na3PO4) and water on communities in an Antarctic polar desert, Taylor Valley. Untreated soils possessed relatively low bacterial diversity, simplified organic C sources due to the absence of plants, limited inorganic N, and excess soil P potentially attenuating links between C:N:P. After 6 years of adding resources, an alleviation of C and N colimitation allowed one rare Micrococcaceae, an Arthrobacter species, to dominate, comprising 47% of the total community abundance and elevating soil respiration by 136% relative to untreated soils. The addition of N alone reduced C:N ratios, elevated bacterial richness and diversity, and allowed rare taxa relying on ammonium and nitrite for metabolism to become more abundant [e.g., nitrite oxidizing Nitrospira species (Nitrosomonadaceae), denitrifiers utilizing nitrite (Gemmatimonadaceae) and members of Rhodobacteraceae with a high affinity for ammonium]. Based on community co-occurrence networks, lower C:P ratios in soils following P and CP additions created more diffuse and less connected communities by disrupting 73% of species interactions and selecting for taxa potentially exploiting abundant P. Unlike amended nutrients, water additions alone elicited no lasting impact on communities. Our results suggest that as soils become nutrient rich a wide array of outcomes are possible from species dominance and the deconstruction of species interconnectedness to the maintenance of biodiversity.

%B Frontiers in Microbiology %V 9 %8 07/2018 %G eng %U https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01401/full %! Front. Microbiol. %R 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01401 %0 Journal Article %J Nature Ecology & Evolution %D 2017 %T Decadal ecosystem response to an anomalous melt season in a polar desert in Antarctica %A Michael N. Gooseff %A John E. Barrett %A Byron Adams %A Peter T. Doran %A Andrew G Fountain %A W. Berry Lyons %A Diane M. McKnight %A John C. Priscu %A Eric R. Sokol %A Cristina D. Takacs-Vesbach %A Martijn L. Vandegehuchte %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %B Nature Ecology & Evolution %V 1 %P 1334-1338 %8 09/2017 %G eng %U https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-017-0253-0 %N 9 %! Nat Ecol Evol %R 10.1038/s41559-017-0253-0 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Science %D 2017 %T Landscape-scale soil phosphorus variability in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Heindel, Ruth C %A Spickard, Angela M %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Science %V 29 %P 252-263 %8 06/2017 %G eng %U https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0954102016000742/type/journal_article %N 3 %R 10.1017/S0954102016000742 %0 Journal Article %J BioScience %D 2016 %T The Impact of a Large-Scale Climate Event on Antarctic Ecosystem Processes %A Andrew G Fountain %A Saba, Grace %A Byron Adams %A Peter T. Doran %A Fraser, William %A Michael N. Gooseff %A Maciek K. Obryk %A John C. Priscu %A Sharon E. Stammerjohn %A Ross A. Virginia %X

Extreme climate and weather events, such as a drought, hurricanes, or ice storms, can strongly imprint ecosystem processing and may alter ecosystem structure. Ecosystems in extreme environments are particularly vulnerable because of their adaptation to severe limitations in energy, water, or nutrients. The vulnerability can be expressed as a relatively long-lasting ecosystem response to a small or brief change in environmental conditions. Such an event occurred in Antarctica and affected two vastly different ecosystems: a marine-dominated coastal system and a terrestrial polar desert. Both sites experienced winds that warmed air temperatures above the 0°C threshold, resulting in extensive snow and ice melt and triggering a series of cascading effects through the ecosystems that are continuing to play out more than a decade later. This highlights the sensitivity of Antarctic ecosystems to warming events, which should occur more frequently in the future with global climate warming.

%B BioScience %V 66 %P 848 - 863 %8 10/2016 %G eng %U http://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article-pdf/66/10/848/7510601/biw110.pdf %N 10 %R 10.1093/biosci/biw110 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2016 %T Impact of diurnal freeze–thaw cycles on the soil nematode Scottnema lindsayae in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Matthew Knox %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A Martijn L. Vandegehuchte %A Inigo San Gil %A Byron Adams %B Polar Biology %V 39 %P 583 - 592 %8 04/2016 %G eng %U https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-015-1809-6 %N 4 %! Polar Biol %R 10.1007/s00300-015-1809-6 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Science %D 2015 %T Controls on diel soil CO2 flux across moisture gradients in a polar desert %A Ball, Becky %A Ross A. Virginia %X

The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are a climate-sensitive ecosystem, where future projected climate warming will increase liquid water availability to release soil biology from physical limitations and alter ecosystem processes. For example, many studies have shown that CO2 flux, an important aspect of the carbon cycle, is controlled by temperature and moisture, which often overwhelm biotic contributions in desert ecosystems. However, these studies used either single-point measurements during peak times of biological activity or diel cycles at individual locations. Here, we present diel cycles of CO2 flux from a range of soil moisture conditions and a variety of locations and habitats to determine how diel cycles of CO2 flux vary across gradients of wet-to-dry soil and whether the water source influences the diel cycle of moist soil. Soil temperature, water content and microbial biomass significantly influenced CO2 flux. Soil temperature explained most of the variation. Soil CO2 flux moderately increased with microbial biomass, demonstrating a sometimes small but significant role of biological fluxes. Our results show that over gradients of soil moisture, both geochemical and biological fluxes contribute to soil CO2 flux, and physical factors must be considered when estimating biological CO2 flux in systems with low microbial biomass.

%B Antarctic Science %8 06/2015 %G eng %U http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9776001&fileId=S0954102015000255 %R 10.1017/S0954102015000255 %0 Journal Article %J Nature Communications %D 2015 %T Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley %A Jill A. Mikucki %A Auken, E. %A Tulaczyk, S %A Ross A. Virginia %A Schamper, C. %A Sørensen, K. I. %A Peter T. Doran %A Hilary A. Dugan %A Foley, N. %X The occurrence of groundwater in Antarctica, particularly in the ice-free regions and along the coastal margins is poorly understood. Here we use an airborne transient electromagnetic (AEM) sensor to produce extensive imagery of resistivity beneath Taylor Valley. Regional-scale zones of low subsurface resistivity were detected that are inconsistent with the high resistivity of glacier ice or dry permafrost in this region. We interpret these results as an indication that liquid, with sufficiently high solute content, exists at temperatures well below freezing and considered within the range suitable for microbial life. These inferred brines are widespread within permafrost and extend below glaciers and lakes. One system emanates from below Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney and a second system connects the ocean with the eastern 18 km of the valley. A connection between these two basins was not detected to the depth limitation of the AEM survey (~350 m). %B Nature Communications %V 6 %P 6831 %8 Apr-04-2017 %G eng %U http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/ncomms7831 %! Nat Comms %R 10.1038/ncomms7831 %0 Journal Article %J ZooKeys %D 2014 %T Ecological Biogeography of the Terrestrial Nematodes of Victoria Land, Antarctica %A Byron Adams %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A Broos, Emma %A Matthew Knox %B ZooKeys %V 419 %P 29 - 71 %8 06/2015 %G eng %U http://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=3899 %! ZK %R 10.3897/zookeys.419.7180 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2014 %T The ecological role of moss in a polar desert: implications for aboveground- belowground and terrestrial -aquatic linkages. %A Ball, Becky %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 37 %P 651-664 %8 04/2014 %G eng %U http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-014-1465-2 %N 5 %9 Journal %R 10.1007/s00300-014-1465-2 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2014 %T Microbial biomass and respiration responses to nitrogen fertilization in a polar desert %A Ball, Becky %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %8 01/2014 %G eng %U http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00300-014-1459-0 %R 10.1007/s00300-014-1459-0 %0 Journal Article %J Geomorphology %D 2012 %T Aeolian flux of biotic and abiotic material in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Marie Šabacká %A John C. Priscu %A Hassan J. Basagic %A Andrew G Fountain %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A Mark C. Greenwood %B Geomorphology %V 155-156 %P 102 - 111 %8 6/2012 %G eng %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169555X11006222 %R 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.12.009 %0 Journal Article %J Ecosphere %D 2012 %T The ecology of pulse events: insights from an extreme climatic event in a polar desert ecosystem %A Uffe N. Nielsen %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %A Ross A. Virginia %A Ball, Becky %A Michael N. Gooseff %A Diane M. McKnight %B Ecosphere %V 3 %P art17 %8 02/2012 %G eng %U http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/ES11-00325.1 %N 2 %R 10.1890/ES11-00325.1 %0 Journal Article %J Geoderma %D 2012 %T Meltwater seep patches increase heterogeneity of soil geochemistry and therefore habitat suitability %A Ball, Becky %A Ross A. Virginia %B Geoderma %V 189-190 %P 652 - 660 %8 11/2012 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.geoderma.2012.06.028 %0 Journal Article %J Pedobiologia %D 2012 %T Thawing permafrost alters nematode populations and soil habitat characteristics in an Antarctic polar desert ecosystem %A Smith, T.E. %A Diana H. Wall %A Hogg, I %A Byron Adams %A Uffe N. Nielsen %A Ross A. Virginia %B Pedobiologia %V 55 %P 75 - 81 %8 3/2012 %G eng %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031405611001156 %N 2 %R 10.1016/j.pedobi.2011.11.001 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2011 %T Antarctic nematode communities: observed and predicted responses to climate change %A Uffe N. Nielsen %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 34 %P 1701 - 1711 %8 11/2011 %G eng %U http://www.springerlink.com/content/v588t5671p1w1323/ %N 11 %R 10.1007/s00300-011-1021-2 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Research %D 2011 %T Implications of meltwater pulse events for soil biology and biogeochemical cycling in a polar desert %A Ball, Becky %A John E. Barrett %A Michael N. Gooseff %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %B Polar Research %V 3081281030352511340 %8 12/2011 %G eng %U http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/14555 %! Polar Research %R 10.3402/polar.v30i0.14555 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Science %D 2011 %T Nematode communities of Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, maritime Antarctica %A Uffe N. Nielsen %A Diana H. Wall %A Li, Grace %A Toro, Manuel %A Byron Adams %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Science %V 23 %P 349 - 357 %8 8/2011 %G eng %N 04 %R 10.1017/S0954102011000174 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2010 %T Experimentally increased snow accumulation alters soil moisture and animal community structure in a polar desert %A Edward Ayres %A Johnson N. Nkem %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %A John E. Barrett %A Breana L. Simmons %A Ross A. Virginia %A Andrew G Fountain %B Polar Biology %V 33 %P 897 - 907 %8 7/2010 %G eng %N 7 %R 10.1007/s00300-010-0766-3 %0 Journal Article %J Soil Biology and Biochemistry %D 2009 %T Interactions between physical and biotic factors influence CO_2 flux in Antarctic dry valley soils %A Ball, Becky %A Ross A. Virginia %A John E. Barrett %A Andrew N. Parsons %A Diana H. Wall %B Soil Biology and Biochemistry %V 41 %P 1510-1517 %G eng %N 7 %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Soil Biology & Biochemistry %D 2009 %T Long-term experimental warming reduces soil nematode populations in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Breana L. Simmons %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %A Edward Ayres %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %B Soil Biology & Biochemistry %V 41 %P 2052-2060 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.soilbio.2009.07.009 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2009 %T Terrestrial mesofauna in above- and below-ground habitats: Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Breana L. Simmons %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %A Edward Ayres %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 32 %P 1549-1558 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Global Change Biology %D 2008 %T Decline in a dominant invertebrate species contributes to altered carbon cycling in a low-diversity soil ecosystem %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %B Global Change Biology %V 14 %P 1734-1744 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Conservation Biology %D 2008 %T Effects of Human Trampling on Populations of Soil Fauna in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. %A Edward Ayres %A Johnson N. Nkem %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %A John E. Barrett %A Broos, E %A Andrew N. Parsons %A Powers, Laura E. %A Breana L. Simmons %A Ross A. Virginia %X

Antarctic ecosystems are often considered nearly pristine because levels of anthropogenic disturbance are extremely low there. Nevertheless, over recent decades there has been a rapid increase in the number of people, researchers and tourists, visiting Antarctica. We evaluated, over 10 years, the direct impact of foot traffic on the abundance of soil animals and soil properties in Taylor Valley within the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Antarctica. We compared soils from minimally disturbed areas with soils from nearby paths that received intermediate and high levels of human foot traffic (i.e., up to approximately 80 passes per year). The nematodes Scottnema lindsayae and Eudorylaimus sp. were the most commonly found animal species, whereas rotifers and tardigrades were found only occasionally. On the highly trampled footpaths, abundance of S. lindsayae and Eudorylaimus sp. was up to 52 and 76% lower, respectively, than in untrampled areas. Moreover, reduction in S. lindsayae abundance was more pronounced after 10 years than 2 years and in the surface soil than in the deeper soil, presumably because of the longer period of disturbance and the greater level of physical disturbance experienced by the surface soil. The ratio of living to dead Eudorylaimus sp. also declined with increased trampling intensity, which is indicative of increased mortality or reduced fecundity. At one site there was evidence that high levels of trampling reduced soil CO2 fluxes, which is related to total biological activity in the soil. Our results show that even low levels of human traffic can significantly affect soil biota in this ecosystem and may alter ecosystem processes, such as carbon cycling. Consequently, management and conservation plans for Antarctic soils should consider the high sensitivity of soil fauna to physical disturbance as human presence in this ecosystem increases.

%B Conservation Biology %V 22 %P 1544-1551 %8 12/2008 %G eng %N 6 %R 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01034.x %0 Journal Article %J Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %D 2008 %T The influence of soil geochemistry on nematode distribution, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Poage, M %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %B Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %V 40 %P 119-128 %8 02/2008 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1657/1523-0430(06-051)[POAGE]2.0.CO;2 %0 Journal Article %J Global Change Biology %D 2008 %T Persistent effects of a discrete climate event on a polar desert ecosystem %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %K Climate Response %K nematodes %B Global Change Biology %V 14 %P 2249-2261 %8 06/2008 %G eng %N 10 %9 Journal %R 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01641.x %0 Journal Article %J Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta %D 2008 %T Soil phosphorus cycling in an Antarctic polar desert %A D. Brad Bate %A John E. Barrett %A Poage, M %A Ross A. Virginia %B Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta %V 144 %P 21-32 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Geophysical Research %D 2007 %T Biogeochemical stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley ecosystems %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A W. Berry Lyons %A Diane M. McKnight %A John C. Priscu %A Andrew G Fountain %A Diana H. Wall %A Daryl L. Moorhead %A Peter T. Doran %K Biggie %X

Among aquatic and terrestrial landscapes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, ecosystem stoichiometry ranges from values near the Redfield ratios for C:N:P to nutrient concentrations in proportions far above or below ratios necessary to support balanced microbial growth. This polar desert provides an opportunity to evaluate stoichiometric approaches to understand nutrient cycling in an ecosystem where biological diversity and activity are low, and controls over the movement and mass balances of nutrients operate over 10–106 years. The simple organisms (microbial and metazoan) comprising dry valley foodwebs adhere to strict biochemical requirements in the composition of their biomass, and when activated by availability of liquid water, they influence the chemical composition of their environment according to these ratios. Nitrogen and phosphorus varied significantly in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems occurring on landscape surfaces across a wide range of exposure ages, indicating strong influences of landscape development and geochemistry on nutrient availability. Biota control the elemental ratio of stream waters, while geochemical stoichiometry (e.g., weathering, atmospheric deposition) evidently limits the distribution of soil invertebrates. We present a conceptual model describing transformations across dry valley landscapes facilitated by exchanges of liquid water and biotic processing of dissolved nutrients. We conclude that contemporary ecosystem stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley soils, glaciers, streams, and lakes results from a combination of extant biological processes superimposed on a legacy of landscape processes and previous climates.

%B Journal of Geophysical Research %V 112 %P G01010+12 %8 02/2007 %G eng %R 10.1029/2005JG000141 %0 Thesis %D 2007 %T Ecotoxicity and microbial biogeochemistry of Fluoride in Antarctic soils %A Collins, Pamela M. %Y Ross A. Virginia %I Dartmouth College %V B.S. %8 07/2007 %G eng %9 bachelors %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Science %D 2007 %T A mathematical model for variation in water-retention curves among sandy soils %A Hunt , H %A Amy M Treonis %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Science %V 19 %P 427-436 %G eng %R LTER %0 Thesis %D 2007 %T Soil organic matter sources and quality in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A D. Brad Bate %Y Ross A. Virginia %I Dartmouth College %V M.S. %G eng %9 masters %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Ecosystems %D 2007 %T Unique similarity of faunal communities across aquatic terrestrial interfaces in a polar desert ecosystem %A Edward Ayres %A Diana H. Wall %A Byron Adams %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %B Ecosystems %G eng %R LTER %0 Book Section %B Encyclopedia of the Antarctic Vol 1 %D 2006 %T Biogeochemistry, terrestrial %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %E B. Riffenburgh %B Encyclopedia of the Antarctic Vol 1 %I Routledge Press %C New York %V 1 %P 154-155 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Science %D 2006 %T Co-variation in soil biodiversity and biogeochemistry in Northern and Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %A Craig S Cary %A Byron Adams %A Hacker, A %A Aislabie, J %B Antarctic Science %V 18 %P 535-548 %G eng %U https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antarctic-science/article/covariation-in-soil-biodiversity-and-biogeochemistry-in-northern-and-southern-victoria-land-antarctica/C3514C28DB75F3A19DB5F266D4B1B56E %R 10.1017/S0954102006000587 %0 Book Section %B Paleoenvironmental Record and Applications of Calcretes and Palustrine Carbonates %D 2006 %T Pedogenic carbonate distribution within glacial till in Taylor Valley, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica %A Foley, K %A W. Berry Lyons %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %B Paleoenvironmental Record and Applications of Calcretes and Palustrine Carbonates %I Geological Society of America %P 89-103 %G eng %R 10.1130/2006.2416(06) %0 Journal Article %J Soil Science Society of America Journal %D 2006 %T Phosphorus fractions in soils of Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Blecker, S %A Ippolito, J %A John E. Barrett %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A Norvell, K %B Soil Science Society of America Journal %V 70 %P 806-815 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2006 %T Salt tolerance and survival thresholds for two species of Antarctic soil nematodes %A Johnson N. Nkem %A Ross A. Virginia %A John E. Barrett %A Diana H. Wall %A Li, G %B Polar Biology %V 29 %P 643-651 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Soil Biology and Biochemistry %D 2006 %T Soil carbon turnover model for the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Andrew N. Parsons %A Diana H. Wall %B Soil Biology and Biochemistry %V 38 %P 3065-3082 %G eng %R LTER %0 Thesis %D 2006 %T Soil nitrogen cycling in cold desert (McMurdo Dry Valleys) and hot desert ecosystems %A Stucker, A %Y Ross A. Virginia %I Dartmouth College %V M.S. %G eng %9 masters %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Soil Biology and Biochemistry %D 2006 %T Terrestrial ecosystem processes of Victoria Land, Antarctica %A John E. Barrett %A Johnson N. Nkem %A Sletten, R %A Steltzer, H %A Diana H. Wall %A Wallenstein, M %A Ross A. Virginia %A D. W. Hopkins %A Aislabie, J %A Bargagli, R %A Bockheim, J %A Campbell, I %A W. Berry Lyons %A Daryl L. Moorhead %B Soil Biology and Biochemistry %V 38 %P 3019-3034 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2006 %T Wind dispersal of soil invertebrates in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Johnson N. Nkem %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A John E. Barrett %A Broos, E %A Porazinska, D %A Byron Adams %K Biggie %X

Dispersal of soil organisms is crucial for their spatial distribution and adaptation to the prevailing conditions of the Antarctic Dry Valleys. This study investigated the possibility of wind dispersal of soil invertebrates within the dry valleys. Soil invertebrates were evaluated in (1) pockets of transported sediments to lake ice and glacier surfaces, (2) wind-transported dust particles in collection pans (Bundt pans) 100 cm above the soil surface, and (3) sediments transported closer to the surface (<50 cm) and collected in open top chambers (OTCs). Invertebrates were extracted and identified. Nematodes were identified to species and classified according to life stage and sex. Three species of nematodes were recovered and Scottnema lindsayae was the most dominant. There were more juveniles (∼71%) in the transported sediments than adults (29%). Tardigrades and rotifers were more abundant in sediments on lake and glacier surfaces while nematodes were more abundant in the dry sediment collections of Bundt pans and OTCs. The abundance of immobile (dead) nematodes in the Bundt pans and OTCs was three times greater than active (live) nematodes. Anhydrobiosis constitutes a survival mechanism that allows wind dispersal of nematodes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Our results show that soil invertebrates are dispersed by wind in the Dry Valleys and are viable in ice communities on lake surfaces and glaciers.

%B Polar Biology %V 29 %P 346-352 %G eng %U http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00300-005-0061-x %R 10.1007/s00300-005-0061-x %0 Journal Article %J Geophysical Research Letters %D 2005 %T Comment on ``El Niño suppresses Antarctic warming'' by N. Bertler et al. %A Peter T. Doran %A Gary D. Clow %A Christian H. Fritsen %A Christopher P. McKay %A Andrew N. Parsons %A John C. Priscu %A W. Berry Lyons %A Walsh, J %A Andrew G Fountain %A Diane M. McKnight %A Daryl L. Moorhead %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %K Tropical meteorology %B Geophysical Research Letters %V 32 %P L07706 %G eng %N 7 %R 10.1029/2004GL021716 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2005 %T Distribution and diversity of soil protozoa in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica %A Bamforth, S %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 28 %P 756-762 %G eng %M LTER63388 %0 Journal Article %J Annals of Glaciology %D 2005 %T Groundwater seeps in Taylor Valley Antarctica: An example of a subsurface melt event %A W. Berry Lyons %A Kathleen A. Welch %A Anne E. Carey %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A Andrew G Fountain %A Peter T. Doran %A Csatho, B %A Tremper, C %B Annals of Glaciology %V 40 %P 200-206 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the United States %D 2005 %T Invertebrate diversity in Taylor Valley soils and sediments %A Amy M Treonis %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Journal of the United States %V 33 %P 13-16 %G eng %M LTER63399 %0 Book Section %B Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Current State and Trends: Findings of the Condition and Trends Working Group %D 2005 %T Polar Systems %A F. S. Chapin %A McGuire, A %A Nuttall, M %A Ross A. Virginia %A Young, O %A Zimov, S %A Christensen, T %A Godduhn, A %A Murphy, E %A Diana H. Wall %A Zockler, C %A Berman, M %A Callaghan, T %A Peter Convey %A A. S. Crepin %A Danell, K %A Hugh W. Ducklow %A Forbes, B %A Kofinas, G %E R. Hassan %E R. Scholes %E N. Ash %B Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Current State and Trends: Findings of the Condition and Trends Working Group %I Island Press %P 717-743 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %D 2005 %T Potential soil organic matter turnover in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Andrew N. Parsons %A Diana H. Wall %K Biggie %X

Antarctic Dry Valley ecosystems are among the most inhospitable soil ecosystems on earth with simple food webs and nearly undetectable fluxes of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Due to the lack of vascular plants, soil organic matter concentrations are extremely low, and it is unclear how much of the contemporary soil C budget is actively cycling or a legacy of paleolake production and sedimentation. While recent work indicates multiple sources of organic matter for dry valley soils, the composition and kinetics of organic pools remain poorly characterized. We examined soil organic matter pools and potential C and N turnover in soils from within six sites located across three hydrological basins of Taylor Valley, Antarctica that differed in surface age, microclimate and proximity to legacy (paleolake) sources of organic matter. We estimated potential C and N mineralization, and rate kinetics using gas exchange and repeated leaching techniques during 90-d incubations of surface soils collected from valley basin and valley slope positions in three basins of Taylor Valley. Soil organic C content was negatively correlated with the ages of underlying tills, supporting previous descriptions of legacy organic matter. Carbon and N mineralization generally followed 1st order kinetics and were well described by exponential models. Labile pools of C (90 d) were 10% of the total organic C in the upper 5 cm of the soil profile. Labile N was 50% of the total N in surface soils of Taylor Valley. These results show that a large proportion of soil C and particularly N are mineralizable under suitable conditions and suggest that a kinetically defined labile pool of organic matter is potentially active in the field during brief intervals of favorable microclimate. Climate variation changing the duration of these conditions may have potentially large effects on the small pools of C and N in these soils.

%B Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %V 37 %P 108-117 %8 02/2005 %G eng %U http://instaar.metapress.com/content/e653225425230175/ %N 1 %9 Journal %M LTER63389 %R 10.1657/1523-0430(2005)037[0108:PSOMTI]2.0.CO;2 %0 Journal Article %J Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %D 2004 %T The Biodiversity and Biogeochemistry of Cryoconite Holes from McMurdo Dry Valley Glaciers, Antarctica %A Porazinska, D %A Andrew G Fountain %A Thomas H. Nylen %A Martyn Tranter %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %B Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %V 36 %P 84-91 %G eng %N 1 %M LTER63381 %0 Journal Article %J Ecosystems %D 2004 %T Soil carbon dioxide flux from Antarctic Dry Valley soils %A Andrew N. Parsons %A John E. Barrett %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Ecosystems %V 7 %P 286-295 %G eng %N 3 %M LTER63379 %0 Thesis %D 2004 %T Soil phosphorus dynamics in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A D. Brad Bate %Y Ross A. Virginia %I Dartmouth College %V B.S. %G eng %9 bachelors %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Ecology %D 2004 %T Variation in biogeochemistry and soil biodiversity across spatial scales in a polar desert %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %A Andrew N. Parsons %A Powers, Laura E. %A Melody B. Burkins %X
Desert ecosystems are characterized by distinct spatial patterning in soil
biogeochemistry and biodiversity. In the Antarctic Dry Valleys, soil polygons are prominent
features of the landscape and may be key units for scaling local ecological information to
the greater region. We examined polygon soils in each of the three basins of Taylor Valley,
Antarctica. Our objectives were to characterize variability in soil biogeochemistry and
biodiversity at local to regional scales, and to test the influence of soil properties upon
invertebrate communities. We found that soil biogeochemical properties and biodiversity
vary over multiple spatial scales from fine (,10 m) to broad (.10 km) scales. Differences
in biogeochemistry were most pronounced at broad scales among the major lake basins of
Taylor Valley corresponding to differences in geology and microclimate, while variation
in invertebrate biodiversity and abundance occurred at landscape scales of 10–500 m, and
within individual soil polygons. Variation in biogeochemistry and invertebrate communities
across these scales reflects the influence of physical processes and landscape development
over ecosystem structure in the dry valleys. The development of soil polygons influences
the spatial patterning of soil properties such as soil organic matter, salinity, moisture, and
invertebrate habitat suitability. Nematode abundance and life history data indicate that
polygon interiors are more suitable habitats than soils in the troughs at the edges of polygons.
These data suggest that physical processes (i.e., polygon development) and biogeochemistry
are important influences on the spatial variability of biotic communities in dry valley soil
ecosystems.
%B Ecology %V 85 %P 3105-3118 %G eng %N 11 %R 10.1890/03-0213 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2003 %T Organic matter and soil biota of upland wetlands in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Daryl L. Moorhead %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %A Porazinska, D %B Polar Biology %V 26 %P 1009-1019 %G eng %M LTER49867 %0 Journal Article %J Nature %D 2002 %T Antarctic climate cooling and terrestrial ecosystem response %A Peter T. Doran %A John C. Priscu %A W. Berry Lyons %A John E. Walsh %A Andrew G Fountain %A Diane M. McKnight %A Daryl L. Moorhead %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %A Gary D. Clow %A Christian H. Fritsen %A Christopher P. McKay %A Andrew N. Parsons %K Climate Response %B Nature %V 415 %P 517-520 %8 01/2002 %G eng %N 6871 %9 Journal %R 10.1038/nature710 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2002 %T Distribution and life cycle of Scottnema lindsayae (Nematoda) in Antarctic soils: A modeling analysis of tempaerature responses %A Daryl L. Moorhead %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A Andrew N. Parsons %B Polar Biology %V 25 %P 118-125 %G eng %M LTER49841 %0 Journal Article %J Ecosystems %D 2002 %T Field and microcosm studies of decomposition and soil biota in a cold dessert soil %A Amy M Treonis %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Ecosystems %V 5 %G eng %N 159-170 %M LTER49842 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 2002 %T Invertebrates in ornithogenic soils at Ross Island, Antarctica. %A Porazinska, D %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 25 %P 569-574 %G eng %M LTER49844 %0 Journal Article %J Arctic,Antarctic, and Alpine Research %D 2002 %T Population age structure of nematodes in the Antarctic Dry Valleys: perspectives on time, space, and habitat suitability %A Porazinska, D %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Arctic,Antarctic, and Alpine Research %V 34 %P 159-168 %G eng %M LTER49843 %0 Journal Article %J Nature %D 2002 %T Recent Temperature Trends in the Antarctic %A John E. Walsh %A Gary D. Clow %A Christian H. Fritsen %A Christopher P. McKay %A Andrew N. Parsons %A Peter T. Doran %A John C. Priscu %A W. Berry Lyons %A Andrew G Fountain %A Diane M. McKnight %A Daryl L. Moorhead %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %B Nature %V 418 %P 291-292 %G eng %M LTER49851 %0 Journal Article %J Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %D 2002 %T Snow patch influence on soil biogeochemical processes and invertebrate distribution in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Michael N. Gooseff %A John E. Barrett %A Peter T. Doran %A Andrew G Fountain %A W. Berry Lyons %A Andrew N. Parsons %A Porazinska, D %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %K Biggie %B Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research %V 35 %P 91-99 %8 02/2003 %G eng %U http://instaar.metapress.com/content/r086455ju7213711/ %N 1 %9 Journal %M LTER49857 %R 10.1657/1523-0430(2003)035[0091:SPIOSB]2.0.CO;2 %0 Journal Article %J Ecosystems %D 2002 %T Trends in resin and KCl-extractable soil nitrogen across landscape gradients in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A John E. Barrett %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %B Ecosystems %V 5 %P 289-299 %G eng %M LTER49853 %0 Book Section %B Encyclopedia of Biodiversity %D 2001 %T Basic Principles in ecosystem functioning %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %E S. Levin %B Encyclopedia of Biodiversity %I Academic Press %V 2 %P 345-352 %G eng %M LTER49833 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Science %D 2001 %T Determining habitat suitability for soil invertebrates in an extreme environment: The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. %A Courtright, E %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Science %V 13 %P 9-17 %G eng %M LTER49825 %0 Journal Article %J Global Change Biology %D 2001 %T Organic carbon cycling in Taylor Valley, Antarctica: Quantifying soil reservoirs and soil respiration %A Melody B. Burkins %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana H. Wall %B Global Change Biology %V 7 %P 113-125 %G eng %M LTER49822 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Nematology %D 2000 %T Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity in the Antarctic nematode Scottnema lindsayae %A Courtright, E %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %A Vida, J %A Frisse, L %A Thomas, W %B Journal of Nematology %V 322 %P 143-153 %G eng %M LTER49548 %0 Journal Article %J Ecology %D 2000 %T The Origin of Soil Organic Matter in Taylor Valley, Antarctica: A Legacy of Climate Change %A Melody B. Burkins %A Ross A. Virginia %A C. Page Chamberlain %A Diana H. Wall %K legacy %B Ecology %V 81 %P 2377-2391 %G eng %M LTER49819 %0 Journal Article %J Functional Ecology %D 2000 %T The use of anhydrobiosis by soil nematodes in the Antarctic Dry Valleys %A Amy M Treonis %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %K Biggie %K survival strategies %B Functional Ecology %V 14 %P 460-467 %8 08/2000 %G eng %U http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2435.2000.00442.x/full %N 4 %9 Journal %M LTER12967 %R 10.1046/j.1365-2435.2000.00442.x %0 Journal Article %J Applied Soil Ecology %D 1999 %T Controls on soil biodiversity: insight s from extreme environments %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Applied Soil Ecology %V 13 %P 137-150 %G eng %M LTER12975 %0 Journal Article %J Ecosystems %D 1999 %T Invertebrate biodiversity in Antarctic Dry Valley soils and sediments %A Amy M Treonis %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %B Ecosystems %V 2 %P 482-492 %G eng %M LTER12965 %0 Journal Article %J BioScience %D 1999 %T Physical controls on the Taylor Valley Ecosystem, Antarctica %A Andrew G Fountain %A W. Berry Lyons %A Melody B. Burkins %A Gayle L. Dana %A Peter T. Doran %A Karen J. Lewis %A Diane M. McKnight %A Daryl L. Moorhead %A Andrew N. Parsons %A John C. Priscu %A Diana H. Wall %A Robert A. Wharton Jr. %A Ross A. Virginia %K Water availability %B BioScience %V 49 %P 961-972 %8 12/1999 %G eng %N 12 %9 Journal %M LTER12832 %0 Book Section %B Nature and Human Society: The Quest for a Sustainable World %D 1999 %T The world beneath our feet: Soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning %A Diana H. Wall %A Ross A. Virginia %Y Tania Williams %Y Peter H. Raven %B Nature and Human Society: The Quest for a Sustainable World %I National Academy of Sciences Press %G eng %M LTER12976 %0 Journal Article %J Alpine and Alpine Research %D 1998 %T Distribution, Community Structure, and Microhabitats of Soil Invertebrates along an Elevational Gradient in Taylor Valley %A Powers, Laura E. %A Mengchi Ho %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Alpine and Alpine Research %V 30 %P 133-141 %G eng %N 2 %M LTER12923 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the United States - 1996 Review Issue (NSF 98-28) %D 1998 %T McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER: Genetic diversity of soil nematodes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica %A Courtright, Ericha M %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %A W. Kelley Thomas %B Antarctic Journal of the United States - 1996 Review Issue (NSF 98-28) %V 31 %P 203-204 %G eng %N 2 %M LTER12803 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the United States - 1996 Review Issue (NSF 98-28) %D 1998 %T Natural abundance of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in potential sources of organic matter to soils of Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Melody B. Burkins %A C. Page Chamberlain %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana W. Freckman %B Antarctic Journal of the United States - 1996 Review Issue (NSF 98-28) %V 31 %P 209-210 %G eng %N 2 %M LTER12796 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Research Series %D 1998 %T Soil Biodiversity and Community Structure in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, in Ecosystem Processes in a Polar Desert: The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Research Series %V 72 %P 323-335 %G eng %M LTER12977 %0 Journal Article %J Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %D 1997 %T Carbon cycling in soils of the McMurdo Dry Valley region, Antarctica %A Melody B. Burkins %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana W. Freckman %A C. Page Chamberlain %B Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %V 78 %P 230 %G eng %N 4 %M LTER12795 %0 Journal Article %J Ecology %D 1997 %T Low-diversity Antarctic soil nematode communities: distribution and response to disturbance %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Ecology %V 78 %P 363-369 %G eng %N 2 %M LTER12839 %0 Journal Article %J Global Change Biology %D 1997 %T Open-top Designs for Manipulating Field Temperature in High-Latitude Ecosystems %A G. M. Marion %A G.H.R. Henry %A Diana W. Freckman %A J. Johnstone %A G. Jones %A M.H. Jones %A E. Levesque %A U. Molau %A P. MØLGAARD %A Andrew N. Parsons %A J. Svoboda %A Ross A. Virginia %B Global Change Biology %V 3 %P 20-32 %8 12/1997 %G eng %N S1 %M LTER12889 %R 10.1111/j.1365-2486.1997.gcb136.x %0 Journal Article %J Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %D 1996 %T Effects of human disturbance on soil nematode populations in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %V 77 %P 360 %G eng %N 3 %M LTER12922 %0 Journal Article %J Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %D 1996 %T Soil spatial variation along a toposequence in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Mengchi Ho %A Ross A. Virginia %A Diana W. Freckman %B Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %V 77 %P 197 %G eng %N 3 %M LTER12855 %0 Journal Article %J Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %D 1996 %T Sources and distribution of abundance of organic matter in the Dry Valley soils of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica %A Melody J. Brown %A Ross A. Virginia %A C. Page Chamberlain %B Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Supplement %V 77 %P 56 %G eng %N 3 %M LTER12792 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %D 1995 %T McMurdo LTER: Soil properties associated with nematode distribution along an elevational transect in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %A Mengchi Ho %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %V 30 %P 282-283 %G eng %N 5 %M LTER12920 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %D 1995 %T Soil chemistry along a glacial chronosequence on Andrews Ridge, Taylor Valley %A Mengchi Ho %A Ross A. Virginia %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %B Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %V 30 %P 310-311 %G eng %N 5 %M LTER12854 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 1995 %T Spatial Distribution of Nematodes in Polar Desert Soils of Antarctica %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 15 %P 325-333 %G eng %N 5 %M LTER12921 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %D 1994 %T Depth distribution of soil nematodes in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %V 29 %P 175-176 %G eng %N 5 %M LTER12917 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %D 1994 %T McMurdo LTER:Soil and nematode distribution along an elevational gradient in Taylor Valley, Antarctica %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %A Mengchi Ho %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %V 29 %P 228-229 %G eng %N 5 %M LTER12916 %0 Journal Article %J Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America %D 1994 %T Nematode biodiversity and community structure in Antarctic Polar Desert Soils %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %K Biggie %B Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America %V 75 %P 186 %G eng %M LTER12918 %0 Book Section %B SCAR 6th Biology Symposium %D 1994 %T Nematode biodiversity and survival in Antarctic Dry Valley soils %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %A Powers, Laura E. %B SCAR 6th Biology Symposium %C Venice, Italy %G eng %M LTER12837 %0 Journal Article %J Society of Nematologists %D 1994 %T Survival of Scottnema lindsayae under extreme osmotic conditions %A Powers, Laura E. %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Society of Nematologists %G eng %M LTER12919 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %D 1993 %T The ecology of nematodes in Antarctic Dry Valley soils %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Journal of the U.S. %V 28 %P 10-11 %G eng %M LTER12835 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 1993 %T Extraction of nematodes from Dry Valley Antarctic soils %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 13 %P 483-487 %G eng %N 7 %M LTER12836 %0 Journal Article %J Polar Biology %D 1993 %T Life Cycle of the Microbivorous Antarctic Dry Valley Nematode Scottnema lindsaye Timm 1971 %A A. Overhoff %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Polar Biology %V 13 %P 151-156 %G eng %N 3 %M LTER12914 %0 Journal Article %J Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America %D 1992 %T Nematodes and soil properties in the Dry Valleys of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America %V 73 %P 179 %G eng %N 2 %M LTER12834 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Nematology %D 1992 %T Nematodes in Antarctic Dry Valley soils: extraction and distribution %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Journal of Nematology %V 24 %P 591 %G eng %M LTER12833 %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the United States %D 1991 %T Nematodes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Southern Victoria Land %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Journal of the United States %V 26 %P 233-234 %G eng %R LTER %0 Journal Article %J Antarctic Journal of the United States %D 1990 %T Nematode Ecology of the McMurdo Dry Valley Ecosystems %A Diana W. Freckman %A Ross A. Virginia %B Antarctic Journal of the United States %V 25 %P 229-230 %G eng %R LTER