Collaborative Research: An Integrated Ecological Investigation of McMurdo Dry Valley's Active Soil Microbial Communities

南极洲的麦克默多干谷是地球上最冷、最干燥的栖息地之一。之前的研究已经证明，尽管条件极端，但干谷土壤中存在着令人惊讶的多种微生物群落。然而，这些生物的活跃程度是未知的；这种多样性很可能反映了被吹到这种环境中的微生物随后被保存在这种寒冷干燥的条件下。这项研究将使用现代分子技术来回答一个关于这些群落的基本问题：哪些生物是活跃的，它们是如何在如此极端的条件下生活的？这项研究将包括探索水、盐和碳的变化如何影响微生物群落，以解决这些生物在这种环境中的营养循环中所起的作用。这项工作的结果将为生命如何适应这种极端条件以及休眠在微生物生活史中的作用提供更广泛的理解。将通过出版物以及在国家和国际会议上的发言广泛传播研究结果；原始数据将通过一个引人注目的网络门户网站提供。该研究将资助两名研究生，两名本科生研究助理和一名博士后。研究结果将纳入针对中学和大专教育工作者的网络研讨会，并将开发一套免费的实践课堂活动工具包，并提供给各种教师和外展组织。

The McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica are among the coldest, driest habitats on the planet. Previous research has documented the presence of surprisingly diverse microbial communities in the soils of the Dry Valleys despite these extreme conditions. However, the degree to which these organisms are active is unknown; it is possible that much of this diversity reflects microbes that have blown into this environment that are subsequently preserved in these cold, dry conditions. This research will use modern molecular techniques to answer a fundamental question regarding these communities: which organisms are active and how do they live in such extreme conditions? The research will include manipulations to explore how changes in water, salt and carbon affect the microbial community, to address the role that these organisms play in nutrient cycling in this environment. The results of this work will provide a broader understanding of how life adapts to such extreme conditions as well as the role of dormancy in the life history of microorganisms. Results will be widely disseminated through publications as well as through presentations at national and international meetings; raw data will be made available through a high-profile web-based portal. The research will support two graduate students, two undergraduate research assistants and a postdoctoral fellow. The results will be incorporated into a webinar targeted to secondary and post-secondary educators and a complimentary hands-on class activity kit will be developed and made available to various teacher and outreach organizations.