Ecosystem Dynamics in a Polar Desert The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

About this book

This book compiles research on the largest ice-free expanse on the Antarctic continent, representing the coldest and driest desert on this planet. The lack of liquid water and the delicate balance between gains and losses of organic carbon makes the McMurdo Dry Valleys ecosystem one of the most sensitive indicators of environmental change on our planet. "Ecosystem Dynamics in a Polar Desert" presents information from the primary abiotic forces defining the system, and from the present hydrology, biogeochemistry and physics of major sites of organic carbon production of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Additionally, research on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the dry valley soils is included. The critical role of environmental management in long-term ecological studies is also addressed in this volume. The accompanying CDROM provides details and scale to engage the reader in visualizing the McMurdo Dry Valleys from an ecosystem perspective.

Contents

Preface

Section 1: Physical and Hydrological Environment
- The Composite Glacial Erosional Landscape of the Northern McMurdo Dry Valleys: Implications for Antarctic Tertiary Glacial History
- Solar Radiation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
- Glaciers of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica
- Geochemical Linkages Among Glaciers, Streams, and Lakes Within the Taylor Valley, Antarctica

Section 2: Stream Environment
- Hydrologic Processes Influencing Streamflow Variation in Fryxell Basin, Antarctica
- Longitudinal Patterns in Algal Abundance and Species Distribution in Meltwater Streams in Taylor Valley, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica
- Primary Production Processes in Streams of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
- Modeling Nitrogen Transformations in Antarctic Streams

Section 3: Lake Environment
- Physical Limnology of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Lakes
- Optical Properties of the McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes, Antarctica
- Cobalt Cycling and Fate in Lake Vanda
- The Abundance of Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacteria in Lake Bonney, Antarctica Determined by Immunofluorescence, PCR, and in situ Hybridization
- Pigment Analysis of the Distribution, Succession, and Fate of Phytoplankton in the McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes of Antarctica
- Fluorescence Quenching in Phytoplankton of the McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes (Antarctica): Implications for the Structure and Function of the Photosynthetic Apparatus
- Protozooplankton and Microzooplankton Ecology in Lakes of the Dry Valleys, Southern Victoria Land
- Permanent Ice Covers of the McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes, Antarctica: Liquid Water Content
- Permanent Ice Covers of the McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes, Antarctica: Bubble Formation and Metamorphism

Section 4: Soil Environment
- The Soil Environment of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
- Soil Biodiversity and Community Structure in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Section 5: Summary
- Science and Environmental Management in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctic
- The McMurdo Dry Valley Ecosystem: Organization, Controls, and Linkages

Section 6: CDROM
- Digital Geospatial Datasets Pertaining to the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica: The SOLA/AGU CDROM

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