04273nas a2200193 4500008004100000022001400041245007400055210006900129260001600198300001400214490000700228520366500235100002203900700002103922700002503943700002203968700002403990856006504014 2015 eng d a0954-102000aRecovery of Antarctic stream epilithon from simulated scouring events0 aRecovery of Antarctic stream epilithon from simulated scouring e cJan-08-2015 a341 - 3540 v273 a

Microbial mats are common in polar streams and often dominate benthic biomass. Climate change may be enhancing the variability of stream flows in the Antarctic, but so far studies investigating mat responses to disturbance have been limited in this region. Mat regrowth was evaluated following disturbance by experimentally scouring rocks from an ephemeral McMurdo Dry Valley stream over two summers (2001–02 and 2012–13). Mats were sampled at the beginning and resampled at the end of the flow season. In 2012–13, mats were additionally resampled mid-season along with previously undisturbed controls. In 2001–02 rocks regained 47% of chlorophyll aand 40% of ash-free dry mass by the end of the summer, while in 2012–13 rocks regrew 18% and 27%, respectively. Mat stoichiometry differed between summers, and reflected differences in biomass and discharge. Oscillatoria spp. were greatest on scoured rocks and Phormidium spp. on undisturbed rocks. Small diatoms Humidophila andFistulifera spp. increased throughout the summer in all mats, with the latter more abundant in scoured communities. Collectively, these data suggest that mats are variable intra-annually, responsive to hydrology and require multiple summers to regrow initial biomass once lost. These results will aid the interpretation of long-term data, as well as inform Antarctic Specially Managed Area protocols.

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aChatfield, Ethan1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S095410201500002400492nas a2200121 4500008004100000245008000041210006900121260002700190490000900217100002100226700002400247856009900271 2001 eng d00aRegrowth of cyanobacterial mats in Greek Creek and the impact of ecotourism0 aRegrowth of cyanobacterial mats in Greek Creek and the impact of bUniversity of Colorado0 vM.S.1 aChatfield, Ethan1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/regrowth-cyanobacterial-mats-greek-creek-and-impact-ecotourism