Cited by 580Polar Research and EcologyMicrobial Community Ecology and PhysiologySoil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

On the rocks: the microbiology of Antarctic Dry Valley soils

Cary, S. Craig, McDonald, Ian R., Barrett, John E., Cowan, Don A.·2010·Nature Reviews Microbiology

Abstract

The arid soils of the Antarctic Dry Valleys constitute some of the oldest, coldest, driest and most oligotrophic soils on Earth. Early studies suggested that the Dry Valley soils contained, at best, very low levels of viable microbiota. However, recent applications of molecular methods have revealed a dramatically contrasting picture - a very wide diversity of microbial taxa, many of which are uncultured and taxonomically unique, and a community that seems to be structured solely by abiotic processes. Here we review our understanding of these extreme Antarctic terrestrial microbial communities, with particular emphasis on the factors that are involved in their development, distribution and maintenance in these cold desert environments.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nrmicro2281

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106 of 106 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Life on Earth clings tenaciously to almost any environment where we can look for it, including Antarctica's Dry Valleys and deep below the seafloor.

    “life on Earth clings tenaciously to almost any environment where we can look for it, including Antarctica's Dry Valleys and deep below the seafloor (Cary et al. 2010; D'Hondt et al. 2004).”

    From The Climate of Early Mars (2016) · cites this paper as Cary et al. 2010

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Authors
Cary, S. C., McDonald, I. R., Barrett, J. E., & Cowan, D. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Waikato (NZ)
  • Virginia Tech (US)
  • University of the Western Cape (ZA)
Corresponding author
Cary, S. Craig
Venue
Nature Reviews Microbiology
Published
2010-02
Volume
8
Issue
2
Pages
129-138
ISSN
  • 1740-1526 (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-1534
OpenAlex
W2056887996
Cited by
580
References
109
Citations by year
2026: 35 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 33
FWCI
3.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Polar Research and Ecology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
Keywords
Antarctic Dry Valleys, soil microbiology, microbial communities, extreme environments, microbial diversity, unculturable microorganisms, oligotrophic soils, microbial survival
MeSH terms
Antarctic Regions, Bacteria, Cold Temperature, Phylogeny, Soil Microbiology, Climate Change

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