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Terrestrial Life Research
Terrestrial life (the organisms which live on land) in Antarctica, is simpler than that of the
ocean. Due to its dangerous climate, Antarctica doesn’t house many land animals. The Dry
Valleys however is one example in Antarctica that has a rich terrestrial life. Microorganisms,
mosses, lichens, and a few groups of invertebrates dominate the Dry Valleys. Organisms that exist
only in Antarctica, have developed ways to survive under conditions of extreme cold temperatures
and with limited food or light (for photosynthesis).
The most common types of organisms found in the Dry Valleys are algae, bacteria, fungi, mosses,
nematode worms, protozoa, rotifers, and tardigrades. Algae and lichens can be found growing inside
sandstone rocks, but lichens can be found on rock surfaces as well. The bacteria, fungi and algae
are found in the dry-valley soils, and the mosses are found in damper soils.
The northern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula and some sub-Antarctic islands are the only parts of
Antarctica where plants can be found (mainly a few ferns, grasses, lichens, liverworts, and mosses).
Photo: A graduate geology student breaks up a sample of igneous rock from the Dry Valleys in the Transantarctic Mountains. Josh Landis, 2000 [NSF]
Te Papa Whale exhibition in Kansas