Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 12/02/2013 - 07:26
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Soil Ecology in Antarctic Dry Valleys

Have you seen any plants, if so how do you think they grow?

Mon, 12/02/2013 - 17:01

Justin Kendhammer

Who is this?Plants? There are no plants here. Who said anything about plants? This is Antarctica, there are no plants here.There are algae. They grow in large mats on the surface of lakes, in stream beds, and on the bottoms of some of the lakes. These algae might just be the best source of carbon for the microbes. When things start to get cold again, in another month or two, the algae die back and blow away with the winds. Their death is a source of life for the soil communities. Good question mystery person.Justin Kendhammer