MICROBIAN : Microbial diversity in the Sør Rondane Mountains in a context of climate change

The Sør Rondane Mountains (SRM) represent a c. 900 km² large
mountain range, encompassing a large range of terrestrial habitats differing in geology and soil characteristics, exposure time and microclimatic conditions. The objectives of the BelSPO project MICROBIAN are to (i) use a combination of remote sensing (Digital Elevation Model) and close-range field observation techniques to map physical habitat characteristics and the presence/extent of biological crust communities in the region of the Princess Elisabeth Station Antarctica (PEA), (ii) generate a comprehensive inventory of the taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities in these habitats by amplicon sequencing of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes and metagenomics, (iii) use mesocosm field experiments (Open Top Chambers and snow fences) to mimic the possible effects of future climate change on the taxonomic diversity of these microbial ecosystems, and (iv) conduct field experiments to inform policy-makers in view of decision making regarding environmental protection and prevention measures to reduce the introduction and spread of non-native species and to avoid cross-contamination between sites. The proposed research will provide a proof of concept to use high resolution satellite images for identifying regions of particular biological interest in East Antarctica and more broadly make a significant contribution to understanding Antarctic terrestrial microbial ecology.