02098nas a2200181   4500008004100000022001400041245014900055210006900204260001200273490000700285520143900292100002101731700002201752700002501774700002001799700002601819856007101845       2024                        eng d  a1523-043000aAn analysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys’ lotic habitats within Antarctica’s protected area network and addressing gaps in biodiversity protection0 aanalysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys lotic habitats within Antarctica  c08/20240 v563 a<p>The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica&rsquo;s largest ice-free region, hosts unique terrestrial ecosystems, with biodiversity concentrated in the aquatic environments and surrounding soils. Despite being a scientific hub, the creation of the MDV Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) made significant steps toward protecting the environment from degradation from human usage. However, with sustained human presence within the MDV, increasing human activity across Antarctica, and aquatic ecosystems subject to environmental change, the effectiveness of current protections for biodiversity conservation requires evaluation. This study employs spatial analysis of MDV protected areas, streams, lakes, research camps, and tourist sites to assess the robustness of current protections, identify underprotected areas, and outline steps for future protection. Within the MDV ASMA, five smaller Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) exist. Only two ASPAs contain streams, and only one with a full hydrologic catchment. With roughly 6% of the lotic habitat area protected by ASPAs, the MDV fall short of global goals for freshwater protection. Past successful management of the MDV shows the effectiveness of collaboration and early action, and amongst calls for ASPA network expansion and restructuring, the MDV has the opportunity to be at the forefront again and increase the protection of Antarctic aquatic ecosystems.</p>1 aWright, Anna, T.1 aBrooks, Cassandra1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aChignell, Stephen, M.  uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15230430.2024.237517602257nas a2200133   4500008004100000245011700041210006900158260004000227490000900267520175200276100002102028700002502049856004902074       2013                        eng d00aAre the Dry Valleys getting wetter? A preliminary assessment of wetness across the McMurdo Dry Valleys landscape0 aAre the Dry Valleys getting wetter A preliminary assessment of w  bPennsylvania State Universityc20130 vM.S.3 a<p>Liquid water is scarce across the landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica and is associated with soils that are adjacent to streams and lakes, during the annual thaw season. However, seeps, water tracks, and wet patches have been observed at several other locations as well. The source of water for these is likely generated by a combination of infiltration from melting snowpacks, melting of pore ice at the ice table beneath the water tracks, and melting of buried segregation ice formed during winter freezing. We are using high resolution (&lt;1m pixel) remote sensing data gathered several times per week in the MDV region to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of wet soils. We assess the spatial consistency with which these wet soils occur for the 2008-2009 to 2011-2012 austral summers with complete coverage and partial coverage for 2003-2004 and 2006-2007 austral summers using a land cover classification. We also quantify the soil moisture of wetted soils using an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN utilizes field radiometer data to retrieve estimates of surface moisture based on the spectral measurements and soil moisture samples collected during the 2010-2011 field season. The remote sensing based analyses of the wetted soils have shown the magnitude to vary greatly and how topography and regional microclimates influence the wetted soils in the MDV. The 2010-2011 austral summer provided the most wetted soil area, 10.21 km<sup>2</sup>, and 2008- 2009 covered the least, 5.38 km<sup>2</sup>. The ANN soil moisture distribution in the MDV shows values ranging from 0.36 % to over 19 %. We suggest that wet soils are a significant component of this cold desert land system and ecosystem.</p>1 aLangford, Z., L.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.  uhttps://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/1736400722nas a2200193   4500008004100000020001800041245008800059210006900147260004200216300001400258100002500272700002400297700001700321700001700338700002100355700001700376700002400393856011100417       2010                        eng d  a978052188919300aAntarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analog to fluvial systems on Mars0 aAntarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analog to fluv  aCambridgebCambridge University Press  a139 - 1591 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aCarr, M., H.1 aBaeseman, J.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.  uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-mcmurdo-dry-valley-stream-ecosystems-analog-fluvial-systems-mars