02991nas a2200229 4500008004100000245018700041210006900228260001200297490000700309520217100316653001802487653001102505653001602516653001402532653001802546653001102564100002102575700002202596700002402618700002402642856009502666 2024 eng d00aDrifting along: Using diatoms to track the contribution of microbial mats to particulate organic matter transport in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aDrifting along Using diatoms to track the contribution of microb c05/20240 v153 a

Flow pulses mobilize particulate organic matter (POM) in streams from the surrounding landscape and streambed. This POM serves as a source of energy and nutrients, as well as a means for organismal dispersal, to downstream communities. In the barren terrestrial landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica, benthic microbial mats occupying different in-stream habitat types are the dominant POM source in the many glacier-fed streams. Many of these streams experience daily flow peaks that mobilize POM, and diatoms recovered from underlying stream sediments suggest that mat-derived diatoms in the POM are retained there through hyporheic exchange. Yet, ‘how much’ and ‘when’ different in-stream habitat types contribute to POM diatom assemblages is unknown. To quantify the contribution of different in-stream habitat types to POM diatom assemblages, we collected time-integrated POM samples over four diel experiments, which spanned a gradient of flow conditions over three summers. Diatoms from POM samples were identified, quantified, and compared with dominant habitat types (i.e., benthic ‘orange’ mats, marginal ‘black’ mats, and bare sediments). Like bulk POM, diatom cell concentrations followed a clockwise hysteresis pattern with stream discharge over the daily flow cycles, indicating supply limitation. Diatom community analyses showed that different habitat types harbor distinct diatom communities, and mixing models revealed that a substantial proportion of POM diatoms originated from bare sediments during baseflow conditions. Meanwhile, orange and black mats contribute diatoms to POM primarily during daily flow peaks when both cell concentrations and discharge are highest, making mats the most important contributors to POM diatom assemblages at high flows. These observations may help explain the presence of mat-derived diatoms in hyporheic sediments. Our results thus indicate a varying importance of different in-stream habitats to POM generation and export on daily to seasonal timescales, with implications for biogeochemical cycling and the local diatom metacommunity.

10acyanobacteria10adiatom10aflow regime10ahydrology10amicrobial mat10aNostoc1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1352666/full03255nas a2200277 4500008004100000022001300041245011100054210006900165260001200234300001100246520240400257653001502661653001302676653001102689653002902700653000902729653001702738100002102755700002402776700002002800700002102820700002502841700001702866700002202883856007202905 2024 eng d a2666017200aRemotely characterizing photosynthetic biocrust in snowpack-fed microhabitats of Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aRemotely characterizing photosynthetic biocrust in snowpackfed m c02/2024 a1001203 a

Microbial communities are the primary drivers of carbon cycling in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Dense microbial mats, consisting mainly of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, occupy aquatic areas associated with streams and lakes. Other microbial communities also occur at lower densities as patchy surface biological soil crusts (hereafter, biocrusts) across the terrestrial landscape. Multispectral satellite data have been used to model microbial mat abundance in high-density areas like stream and lake margins, but no previous studies have investigated the lower detection limits of biocrusts. Here, we describe remote sensing and field-based survey and sampling approaches to study the detectability and distribution of biocrusts in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Using a combination of multi- and hyperspectral tools and spectral linear unmixing, we modeled the abundances of biocrust in eastern Taylor Valley. Our spectral approaches can detect low masses of biocrust material in laboratory microcosms down to biocrust concentrations of 1% by mass. These techniques also distinguish the spectra of biocrust from both surface rock and mineral signatures from orbit. We found that biocrusts are present throughout the soils of eastern Taylor Valley and are associated with diverse underlying soil communities. The densest biocrust communities identified in this study had total organic carbon 5x greater than the content of typical arid soils. The most productive biocrusts were located downslope of melting snowpacks in unique soil ecosystems that are distinct from the surrounding arid landscape. There are similarities between the snowpack and stream sediment communities (high diversity of soil invertebrates) as well as their ecosystem properties (e.g., persistence of liquid water, high transfer of available nutrients, lower salinity from flushing) compared to the typical arid terrestrial ecosystem of the dry valleys. Our approach extends the capability of orbital remote sensing of photosynthetic communities out of the aquatic margins and into the drier soils which comprise most of this landscape. This interdisciplinary work is critical for measuring and monitoring terrestrial carbon stocks and predicting future ecosystem dynamics in this currently water-limited but increasingly dynamic Antarctic landscape, which is particularly climate-sensitive and difficult to access.

10aAntarctica10abiocrust10acarbon10areflectance spectroscopy10asnow10asoil ecology1 aPower, Sarah, N.1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aBorges, Schuyler, R.1 aAdams, Byron1 aBarrett, John, E. uhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266601722400004X02111nas a2200205 4500008004100000245010700041210006900148260001200217300001600229490000700245520142400252100002401676700002201700700002501722700002101747700002101768700002001789700002501809856007101834 2021 eng d00aCounting carbon: Quantifying biomass in the McMurdo Dry Valleys through orbital and field observations0 aCounting carbon Quantifying biomass in the McMurdo Dry Valleys t c10/2021 a8597 - 86230 v423 a

We use correlative field studies and high-resolution multispectral remote sensing data from the WorldView-2 instrument to estimate the abundance of photosynthetically active biomass (photoautotrophs consisting primarily of microbial mats and mosses) in Canada Stream in Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica. In situ field investigations were performed to (1) acquire ground validation targets for atmospherically correcting satellite imagery, (2) derive spectra of “pure” geologic and biological endmembers, (3) estimate photoautotroph cover from remote sensing data, and (4) convert these coverage estimates to biomass using data collected in the field. Our results suggest that, on the morning of 12 December 2018, the Canada Stream system contained more than 3,800 kg of photosynthetically active carbon. Extrapolating our unmixing results to the entirety of the Fryxell basin of Taylor Valley, Antarctica, we model the presence of more than 750,000 kg of photosynthetically active carbon across the landscape and carbon fixation rates roughly equivalent to five hectares of tropical rainforest. The ability to spatially and temporally quantify the amount of photosynthetically active biomass using remote sensing data in the MDV of Antarctica is a revolutionary development that will help elucidate the ecological drivers and environmental responses in this cold desert landscape.

1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aBorges, Schuyler, R.1 aPower, Sarah, N.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01431161.2021.198155902597nas a2200229 4500008004100000245011900041210006900160260001200229520184900241653001502090653001802105653002602123653000902149653001502158653001902173100002102192700002402213700002002237700002102257700002202278856006702300 2020 eng d00aEstimating microbial mat biomass in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica using satellite imagery and ground surveys0 aEstimating microbial mat biomass in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Anta c09/20203 a

Cyanobacterial mat communities are the main drivers of primary productivity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. These microbial communities form laminar mats on desert pavement surfaces adjacent to glacial meltwater streams, ponds, and lakes. The low-density nature of these communities and their patchy distribution make assessments of distribution, biomass, and productivity challenging. We used satellite imagery coupled with in situ surveying, imaging, and sampling to systematically estimate microbial mat biomass in selected wetland regions in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. On January 19th, 2018, the WorldView-2 multispectral satellite acquired an image of our study areas, where we surveyed and sampled seven 100 m2 plots of microbial mats for percent ground cover, ash-free dry mass (AFDM), and pigment content (chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, and scytonemin). Multispectral analyses revealed spectral signatures consistent with photosynthetic activity (relatively strong reflection at near-infrared wavelengths and relatively strong absorption at visible wavelengths), with average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values of 0.09 to 0.28. Strong correlations of microbial mat ground cover (R2 = 0.84), biomass (R2 = 0.74), chlorophyll-a content (R2 = 0.65), and scytonemin content (R2 = 0.98) with logit transformed NDVI values demonstrate that satellite imagery can detect both the presence of microbial mats and their key biological properties. Using the NDVI—biomass correlation we developed, we estimate carbon (C) stocks of 21,715 kg (14.7 g C m−2) in the Canada Glacier Antarctic Specially Protected Area, with an upper and lower limit of 74,871 and 6312 kg of C, respectively.

10aAntarctica10amicrobial mat10amultispectral imagery10aNDVI10aNostocales10aremote sensing1 aPower, Sarah, N.1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aBarrett, John, E. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00300-020-02742-y03261nas a2200241 4500008004100000245013300041210006900174260001200243490000600255520247400261653001502735653002202750653001402772653001102786653001902797100002002816700002202836700002202858700002402880700002402904700002102928856007002949 2020 eng d00aEvaluating alternative metacommunity hypotheses for diatoms in the McMurdo Dry Valleys using simulations and remote sensing data0 aEvaluating alternative metacommunity hypotheses for diatoms in t c09/20200 v83 a

Diatoms are diverse and widespread freshwater Eukaryotes that make excellent microbial subjects for addressing questions in metacommunity ecology. In the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, the simple trophic structure of glacier-fed streams provides an ideal outdoor laboratory where well-described diatom assemblages are found within two cyanobacterial mat types, which occupy different habitats and vary in coverage within and among streams. Specifically, black mats of Nostoc spp. occur in marginal wetted habitats, and orange mats (Oscillatoria spp. and Phormidium spp.) occur in areas of consistent stream flow. Despite their importance as bioindicators for changing environmental conditions, the role of dispersal in structuring dry valley diatom metacommunities remains unclear. Here, we use MCSim, a spatially explicit metacommunity simulation package for R, to test alternative hypotheses about the roles of dispersal and species sorting in maintaining the biodiversity of diatom assemblages residing in black and orange mats. The spatial distribution and patchiness of cyanobacterial mat habitats was characterized by remote imagery of the Lake Fryxell sub-catchment in Taylor Valley. The available species pool for diatom metacommunity simulation scenarios was informed by the Antarctic Freshwater Diatoms Database, maintained by the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research program. We used simulation outcomes to test the plausibility of alternative community assembly hypotheses to explain empirically observed patterns of freshwater diatom biodiversity in the long-term record. The most plausible simulation scenarios suggest species sorting by environmental filters, alone, was not sufficient to maintain biodiversity in the Fryxell Basin diatom metacommunity. The most plausible scenarios included either (1) neutral models with different immigration rates for diatoms in orange and black mats or (2) species sorting by a relatively weak environmental filter, such that dispersal dynamics also influenced diatom community assembly, but there was not such a strong disparity in immigration rates between mat types. The results point to the importance of dispersal for understanding current and future biodiversity patterns for diatoms in this ecosystem, and more generally, provide further evidence that metacommunity theory is a useful framework for testing hypotheses about microbial community assembly.

10aAntarctica10aBacillariophyceae10adispersal10aNostoc10astream ecology1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aStanish, Lee, F. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fevo.2020.521668/full02051nas a2200253 4500008004100000245010800041210006900149260001200218520110900230653001201339653001401351653002401365653001701389653001901406653001701425100002401442700002501466700002201491700002001513700002101533700002101554700001601575856020601591 2020 eng d00aRemote characterization of photosynthetic communities in the Fryxell basin of Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aRemote characterization of photosynthetic communities in the Fry c03/20203 a

We investigate the spatial distribution, spectral properties and temporal variability of primary producers (e.g. communities of microbial mats and mosses) throughout the Fryxell basin of Taylor Valley, Antarctica, using high-resolution multispectral remote-sensing data. Our results suggest that photosynthetic communities can be readily detected throughout the Fryxell basin based on their unique near-infrared spectral signatures. Observed intra- and inter-annual variability in spectral signatures are consistent with short-term variations in mat distribution, hydration and photosynthetic activity. Spectral unmixing is also implemented in order to estimate mat abundance, with the most densely vegetated regions observed from orbit correlating spatially with some of the most productive regions of the Fryxell basin. Our work establishes remote sensing as a valuable tool in the study of these ecological communities in the McMurdo Dry Valleys and demonstrates how future scientific investigations and the management of specially protected areas could benefit from these tools and techniques.

10aecology10ahydrology10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10amicrobiology10aremote sensing10aspectroscopy1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aBorges, Schuyler, R.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aPower, Sarah, N.1 aMorin, Paul uhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antarctic-science/article/remote-characterization-of-photosynthetic-communities-in-the-fryxell-basin-of-taylor-valley-antarctica/8576F6BB1BCFDCA8409F5EA96CA00C6F01794nas a2200181 4500008004100000245015800041210006900199260001200268300001400280490000600294520113500300100002201435700002101457700001601478700002201494700002401516856007201540 2018 eng d00aCatch and release: Hyporheic retention and mineralization of N-fixing Nostoc sustains downstream microbial mat biomass in two polar desert streams0 aCatch and release Hyporheic retention and mineralization of Nfix c07/2018 a357 - 3640 v33 a

 

Much work has been performed to investigate controls on nitrogen (N) uptake in streams, yet the fate of assimilated N is comparatively poorly resolved. Here, we use in-stream fixed N as an isotopic tracer to study the fate of assimilated N in glacial meltwater streams. We characterized d15N signatures of Oscillatorean, Chlorophyte, and N-fixing Nostoc mats over the lengths of two streams, and transported particulate organic matter (POM) in one. POM was isotopically most similar to Nostoc, which always had values near the atmospheric standard, suggesting N-fixation. Other mat types were depleted upstream, and became progressively enriched downstream, indicating a shift in N source. These results collectively show that Nostoc-derived N is mobilized, mineralized, and increasingly assimilated downstream as more depleted glacier-derived N is exhausted, demonstrating the importance of organic matter processing to balancing elemental budgets, and improving our understanding of nutrient cycling in lotic environments.

 

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aLiptzin, D.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lol2.1008702513nas a2200277 4500008004100000245010700041210006900148260001200217300001600229490000700245520169000252653001201942653001601954653001601970653001401986653001502000653001602015100002602031700002102057700002402078700001702102700001702119700002002136700002402156856005502180 2018 eng d00aSpatial and temporal patterns of microbial mats and associated invertebrates along an Antarctic stream0 aSpatial and temporal patterns of microbial mats and associated i c10/2018 a1911–19210 v413 a

 

Microbial biofilms are biological hotspots in many alpine and polar ecosystems, but the controls on and functional significance of their fauna are little known. We studied cyanobacterial mats and the underlying sediment in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. We investigated mat biomass (total and phototrophic), diatoms, and micro-meiofauna (nematodes, rotifers, and tardigrades) at nine sites along a 1670 m stream reach in a cold, low-flow growing season, and in a warmer growing season in which peak flows (above 100 L s−1) scoured the mats. Diatom and invertebrate communities were not related, but mat biomass in the low-flow year was negatively related to nematode abundance, including that of the omnivore Eudorylaimus. In the high-flow year that followed, invertebrate abundance was reduced in the mats, diatom community structure was altered, and mat biomass was higher. The difference in invertebrate abundance between years was greater in mats in upstream reaches, where the greatest increases in flow velocity may have occurred, and was negligible in mats in downstream reaches as well as in the sediment beneath the mats. Integrating our results with previous findings, we generate two predictive hypotheses to be tested in glacial meltwater streams: (1) under peak flows invertebrates decline in the microbial mats, while (2) the sediment beneath the mats is a refuge from the flow disturbance. Our results also suggest that, under stable flow conditions, microinvertebrate grazers could exert top-down control on microbial mat biomass.

 

10adiatoms10aDisturbance10aDry valleys10aEpilithon10aMicrofauna10aStream flow1 aAndriuzzi, Walter, S.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aSimmons, Breana, L.1 aJaros, Chris1 aAdams, Byron1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00300-018-2331-402451nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011100041210006900152260001200221300001400233490000700247520180200254100002402056700002302080700002102103700002502124700002002149700002402169856006402193 2017 eng d00aThermal autecology describes the occurrence patterns of four benthic diatoms in McMurdo Dry Valley streams0 aThermal autecology describes the occurrence patterns of four ben c06/2017 a2381-23960 v403 a

Benthic microbial mats in the glacial-fed melt- water streams are hotspots of productivity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica. Benthic diatoms are common in these mats and the[45 primarily endemic taxa represent the most diverse group of eukaryotes in the MDV. In this harsh polar desert, streams are thermally dynamic with daily water temperatures varying 6–9 °C and daily maximum temperatures as high as 15 °C. Stream temperature may play a role in determining growth rates and survival strategies. To understand taxon-specific adaptations to their environment, we measured the growth rates of unialgal cultures of four diatom taxa (Psammothidium papilio, Hantzschia abundans, Hantzschia amphioxys, and Hantzschia amphioxys f. muelleri) under three temperature conditions (7.6, 10, and 15 °C) that were representative of maximum daily stream temperatures. We found that P. papilio exhibited a constant growth rate across the full temperature range; this species is most common in streams that begin to flow early in the summer and with less variable thermal regimes. Growth rates for H. abundans were greatest at 15 °C, but showed a non-linear relationship with temperature. H. amphioxys f. muelleri

grew faster than the other taxa studied and thrived at 10 °C. Hantzschia amphioxys grew only at the two lower temperatures. These results aligned with the observed relationships between each taxon’s relative abundance and stream temperatures in the long-term record maintained by the MDV Long-Term Ecological Research program. Overall, our observations suggest that differences in thermal optima may be one factor contributing to and maintaining the diversity of benthic diatom flora in the MDV.
1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aGarland, Deena, D.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aEsposito, Rhea, M.M.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-017-2151-y00939nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001400041245011900055210006900174260001200243100001600255700002000271700002200291700002100313700002500334700002000359700002400379700001700403700002200420700002400442856025500466 2016 eng d a0722-406000aEvidence for dispersal and habitat controls on pond diatom communities from the McMurdo Sound Region of Antarctica0 aEvidence for dispersal and habitat controls on pond diatom commu c02/20161 aSakaeva, A.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aSpaulding, Sarah, A.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00300-016-1901-6http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00300-016-1901-6http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00300-016-1901-6.pdfhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-016-1901-6/fulltext.html02226nas a2200229 4500008004100000245011100041210006900152260001200221300001100233490000700244520146700251100002401718700002201742700002301764700001901787700002201806700002401828700002101852700002001873700003301893856007001926 2016 eng d00aPatterns of bacterial biodiversity in the glacial meltwater streams of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aPatterns of bacterial biodiversity in the glacial meltwater stre c08/2016 afiw1480 v923 a

Microbial consortia dominate glacial meltwater streams from polar regions, including the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), where they thrive under physiologically stressful conditions. In this study, we examined microbial mat types and sediments found in 12 hydrologically diverse streams to describe the community diversity and composition within and across sites. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from 129 samples revealed ∼24 000 operational taxonomic units (<97% DNA similarity), making streams the most biodiverse habitat in the MDV. Principal coordinate analyses revealed significant but weak clustering by mat type across all streams (ANOSIM R-statistic = 0.28) but stronger clustering within streams (ANOSIM R-statistic from 0.28 to 0.94). Significant relationships (P < 0.05) were found between bacterial diversity and mat ash-free dry mass, suggesting that diversity is related to the hydrologic regimes of the various streams, which are predictive of mat biomass. However, correlations between stream chemistry and community members were weak, possibly reflecting the importance of internal processes and hydrologic conditions. Collectively, these results suggest that localized conditions dictate bacterial community composition of the same mat types and sediments from different streams, and while MDV streams are hotspots of biodiversity in an otherwise depauperate landscape, controls on community structure are complex and site specific.

1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aWolf, Caitlin, R.1 aColman, Daniel, R.1 aJiang, Xiaoben1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aYazzie, Terrill1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://femsec.oxfordjournals.org/lookup/doi/10.1093/femsec/fiw14802538nas a2200205 4500008004100000245010400041210006900145260001200214300001200226490000700238520189000245100002202135700002102157700001902178700001302197700001602210700001702226700002402243856006502267 2015 eng d00a Long-Term Hydrologic Control of Microbial Mat Abundance in McMurdo Dry Valley Streams, Antarctica.0 aLongTerm Hydrologic Control of Microbial Mat Abundance in McMurd c03/2015 a310-3270 v183 a

Given alterations in global hydrologic regime, we examine the role of hydrology in regulating stream microbial mat abundance in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Here, perennial mats persist as a desiccated crust until revived by summer streamflow, which varies inter-annually, and has increased since the 1990s. We predicted high flows to scour mats, and intra-seasonal drying to slow growth. Responses were hypothesized to differ based on mat location within streams, along with geomorphology, which may promote (high coverage) or discourage (low coverage) accrual. We compared hydrologic trends with the biomass of green and orange mats, which grow in the channel, and black mats growing at stream margins for 16 diverse stream transects over two decades. We found mat biomass collectively decreased during first decade coinciding with low flows, and increased following elevated discharges. Green mat biomass showed the greatest correlations with hydrology and was stimulated by discharge in high coverage transects, but negatively correlated in low coverage due to habitat scour. In contrast, orange mat biomass was negatively related to flow in high coverage transects, but positively correlated in low coverage because of side-channel expansion. Black mats were weakly correlated with all hydrologic variables regardless of coverage. Lastly, model selection indicated the best combination of predictive hydrologic variables for biomass differed between mat types, but also high and low coverage transects. These results demonstrate the importance of geomorphology and species composition to modeling primary production, and will be useful in predicting ecological responses of benthic habitats to altered hydrologic regimes.

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aCrisp, Stenven1 aKoch, J.1 aLiptzin, D.1 aBaeseman, J.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10021-014-9829-602195nas a2200157 4500008004100000245014100041210006900182260001200251300001000263490000700273520155900280100002401839700002101863700002401884856012901908 2014 eng d00aDiel flow pulses drive particulate organic matter transport from microbial mats in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys0 aDiel flow pulses drive particulate organic matter transport from c01/2014 a86-970 v503 a Many glacial meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica contain abundant microbial mats, representing hot spots of primary production in a barren landscape. These mats persist through the winter in a freeze-dried state and grow in the summer, experiencing a dynamic hydrologic regime as streamflow varies on a diel cycle and with weather conditions. During diel peaks in flow these streams transport particulate organic matter (POM) to the downstream closed-basin lakes. We investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of POM transport derived from the scouring of microbial mats in Von Guerard Stream of the MDV. The results show clockwise hysteresis effects in POM concentration over diel flood pulses and suggests that POM transport in the MDVs is supply limited. Further studies are required to confirm this and to identify the potential contributing sources of POM. The hysteresis effect was modeled using an approach derived from models of sediment transport in streams. Spatial variations in POM transport indicate that patch-scale variations in bed shear stress and benthic biomass also influence transport which is integrated downstream over several 100's of meters. Large variations in the POM transport dynamics between different diel flood pulses were found to be related to the time since a resetting flood event and the regrowth of potentially mobile benthic biomass, providing further evidence of the importance of supply limitation and flow variability in controlling the organic matter flux of stream ecosystems.1 aCullis, James, D.S.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/diel-flow-pulses-drive-particulate-organic-matter-transport-microbial-mats-glacial-meltwater00588nas a2200169 4500008004100000245008700041210006900128260001200197300001100209490000600220100002100226700002300247700002400270700002400294700002000318856008000338 2013 eng d00aEnvironmental factors influencing diatom communities in Antarctic cryoconite holes0 aEnvironmental factors influencing diatom communities in Antarcti c12/2013 a0450060 v81 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aBagshaw, Elizabeth1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aTranter, Martyn uhttp://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/4/045006/pdf/1748-9326_8_4_045006.pdf00656nas a2200181 4500008004100000245009100041210006900132260001200201100002100213700002200234700002300256700002100279700002000300700002400320700002500344700002400369856008100393 2012 eng d00aBacteria and diatom co-occurrence patterns in microbial mats from polar desert streams0 aBacteria and diatom cooccurrence patterns in microbial mats from c10/20121 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aO'Neill, Sean, P.1 aGonzález, Antonio1 aLegg, Teresa, M.1 aKnelman, Joseph1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aSpaulding, Sarah, A.1 aNemergut, Diana, R. uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2012.02872.x/abstract00743nas a2200205 4500008004100000245013500041210006900176260001200245300001600257490000700273100002100280700002200301700002500323700002400348700002200372700002000394700002400414700002400438856007500462 2012 eng d00aExtreme streams: flow intermittency as a control on diatom communities in meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aExtreme streams flow intermittency as a control on diatom commun c08/2012 a1405 - 14190 v691 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aEsposito, Rhea, M.M.1 aSimmons, Breana, L.1 aNielsen, Uffe, N.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aNemergut, Diana, R.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/f2012-022#.UH2NlWcnq9g03418nas a2200217 4500008004100000245009200041210006900133260004000202490001000242520270900252653001502961653002402976653002203000653001203022653001903034653002403053653001203077100002103089700002403110856006603134 2011 eng d00aEcological controls on stream diatom communities in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aEcological controls on stream diatom communities in the McMurdo  aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado0 vPh.D.3 a

 

Diatoms are vital primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and useful indicators of environmental change. In climatically sensitive polar areas, diatoms have been used as beacons of climate change, allowing us to monitor physical, chemical, and biological changes. This research aims to improve our understanding of diatom ecology in the pristine and dynamic McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, where diatoms reside in stream microbial mats. These results aid in understanding how changes in hydrologic regime will affect stream microbial communities, biodiversity, and ecosystem function in a changing environment.

Relationships between hydrologic regime and diatom community composition were investigated using long-term data. Diatom communities were structured by stream physical features, and streams with more similar hydrologic characteristics had more similar communities. Variation in diatom community composition was best explained by hydrologic regime. Small diatoms increased in relative abundances with increasing streamflow, suggesting a role of diatom size in structuring communities. Overall, diatom communities were resistant to flood and drought-like conditions, suggesting an adaptation to frequent disturbances.

The importance of hydrologic regime on drift activity was investigated during three 24- hour experiments. Diel variations in drift could be attributed to diurnal flow peaks. Biomass and diatom cell densities followed a clockwise pattern with stream discharge and support the dominant role of hydraulic processes. The quality of source material differed between seasons and throughout the day. Drifting diatom communities were dominated by Fistulifera pelliculosa, which is rarely found in stream mats and suggests a different source. Modeling results suggest that the less firmly anchored marginal mats contribute more to the drift than channel mats in low- flow seasons, while the channel mats become more important during high-flow seasons.

The relationships between diatom and bacterial assemblages in microbial mats were assessed based on phylogenetic and functional relatedness in five Dry Valley streams. Significant relationships between diatom and bacterial communities were found, and co-occurrence analysis identified numerous correlations between individual diatom and bacterial taxa. A consistency in metabolic lifestyles of correlated taxa suggests that the relationships are ecologically relevant. Diatom and bacterial diversity showed opposite patterns, which indicate differences in environmental drivers of diversity for bacteria and eukaryotes.

 

10aAntarctica10abiological sciences10acommunity ecology10adiatoms10aearth sciences10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10astreams1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://search.proquest.com/docview/915694114?accountid=1450300494nas a2200145 4500008004100000245008600041210006900127260001200196300001400208490000700222100002100229700002400250700002400274856005000298 2011 eng d00aHydrologic processes influence diatom community composition in Dry Valley streams0 aHydrologic processes influence diatom community composition in D c12/2011 a1057-10730 v301 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aNemergut, Diana, R.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://www.jnabs.org/doi/abs/10.1899/11-008.100711nas a2200181 4500008004100000020001800041245009200059210006900151250000600220260003100226100002500257700002400282700001500306700002400321700001900345700002100364856014400385 2010 eng d a978052150996100aDiatoms as indicators of environmental change in Antarctic and subantarctic freshwaters0 aDiatoms as indicators of environmental change in Antarctic and s a2 bCambridge University Press1 aSpaulding, Sarah, A.1 aVan de Vijver, Bart1 aHodgson, D1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aVerleyen, Elie1 aStanish, Lee, F. uhttp://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/life-sciences/plant-science/diatoms-applications-environmental-and-earth-sciences-2nd-edition