Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

The McMurdo Dry Valleys form the largest relatively ice-free area on the Antarctic continent. The perennially ice-covered lakes, ephemeral streams and extensive areas of exposed soil are subject to low temperatures, limited precipitation and salt accumulation. The dry valleys thus represent a region where life approaches its environmental limits. This unique ecosystem has been studied for several decades as an analog to environments on other planets, particularly Mars. For the first time, the detailed terrestrial research of the dry valleys is brought together here, presented from an astrobiological perspective. Chapters include a discussion on the history of research in the valleys, a geological background of the valleys, setting them up as analogs for Mars, followed by chapters on the various sub-environments in the valleys such as lakes, glaciers and soils. Includes concluding chapters on biodiversity and other analog environments on Earth.

Biotic communities --- Cryobiology. --- Ecology --- Exobiology. --- McMurdo Dry Valleys (Antarctica) --- Antarctica --- Mars (Planet) --- Environmental conditions. --- Climate. --- Astrobiology --- Biology --- Habitable planets --- Life --- Balance of nature --- Bionomics --- Ecological processes --- Ecological science --- Ecological sciences --- Environment --- Environmental biology --- Oecology --- Environmental sciences --- Population biology --- Biocenoses --- Biocoenoses --- Biogeoecology --- Biological communities --- Biomes --- Biotic community ecology --- Communities, Biotic --- Community ecology, Biotic --- Ecological communities --- Ecosystems --- Natural communities --- Origin --- Antarctic regions --- Polar regions --- Freezing --- Low temperature biology --- Cold --- Cryopreservation of organs, tissues, etc. --- Low temperatures --- Red Planet --- Dry Valleys (Antarctica) --- Dry Valleys of McMurdo Sound (Antarctica) --- Dry Valleys of Victoria Land (Antarctica) --- McMurdo Oasis (Antarctica) --- Oasis of McMurdo Sound (Antarctica) --- Ross Desert (Antarctica) --- Victoria Land Dry Valleys (Antarctica) --- Victoria Land Oasis (Antarctica)