Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 09:52
Forums
Soil Ecology in Antarctic Dry Valleys

by StevensTFHS

Thu, 01/02/2014 - 09:35

Justin Kendhammer

Hi-The soils are not very nutrient rich. I have gained a lot of respect for all of the organisms that scratch out an existence on the Antarctic continent. While many of the building blocks for life are present they are often either unavailable to access and use (frozen) or in such low quantity that they become limiting factors for carrying out life functions.Antarctica is the most harsh place I have ever been and is easily the toughest continent for all life forms. Organisms there deserve our respect and our time to study and record. We do not know all of the possible ways our planet might change in the future. By taking a look at the extremes of life on our planet we should be in a better place to respond to these possible changes.Thanks for the question.JKAlso keep in mind that Antarctica is the driest continent on the planet.