National Audubon Society Emcrace of Ranching

Cattle grazing is the most significant adverse impact upon natural landscapes in the West. Photo George Wuerthner The National Audubon Society has a program called “Conservation Ranching,&#82…

The Dirt on Biocrusts: Why Scientists Are Working to Save Earth’s Living Skin

Think twice before stepping on that crunchy top layer of soil. It may be a vital ecosystem—one that you can help protect.

Scientists discover how soil microbes survive in harsh desert environments

Prolonged droughts followed by sudden bursts of rainfall—how do desert soil bacteria manage to survive such harsh conditions? This long-debated question has now been answered by an ERC project led by microbiologist Dagmar Woebken from the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna.

Scientists discover how soil microbes survive in harsh desert environments

Prolonged droughts followed by sudden bursts of rainfall—how do desert soil bacteria manage to survive such harsh conditions? This long-debated question has now been answered by an ERC project led by microbiologist Dagmar Woebken from the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna.

Microbe-stuffed soil crusts menaced by climate change

Using a novel method to detect microbial activity in biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, after they are wetted, a Penn State–led research team in a new study uncovered clues that will lead to a better understanding of the role microbes play in forming a living skin over many semi-arid ecosystems around the world. The tiny organisms—and the microbiomes they create—are threatened by climate change.

Avoin työpaikka

PD Dr. Kenneth Dumack on Twitter

“Sampling #biocrusts and #soil in #Antarctica looks eerie when everything around you is tinted grey. Look at the lovely ground though. As you can see, Antarctica is full of #life - in this case life is exclusively #microbial though :) #lichens #fungi #cyanobacteria #protists”