Research Explorer

Project

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning of High-Arctic Biological Soil Crusts
Code
01N03118
Duration
01 January 2018 → 31 December 2021
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Other chemical sciences
    • Geochemistry
    • General biology
    • Plant biology
    • Other biological sciences
Keywords
Biological soil crusts microbial diversity 16S rRNA 18S rRNA marker pigments soil properties functional genes nitrogen cycle phosphorous cycle ecosystem functions Arctic Svalbard
 
Project description
 

This proposal studies the role of environmental factors on the microbial diversity of High-Arctic Biological Soil Crusts (BSCs) and their role in nitrogen and phosphorous cycling in regions in Svalbard differing in their lithology, weathering, and mineralogy. It will enable to better predict the development and activity of BSCs in High-Arctic deserts as indicators of the greening of the Arctic.