What factors control bacterial biodiversity in a natural marine derived Antarctic laboratory?

We propose investigating bacterial biodiversity and the factors that have shaped biodiversity in a natural marine derived laboratory - the saline lakes of the Vestfold Hills. The suite of lakes range in salinity from brackish to over six times seawater and have truncated planktonic communities dominated by micro-organisms. Nature has provided a natural, simplified laboratory in which to study microbial biodiversity and functional dynamics.

We will use molecular techniques to quantify bacterial biodiversity over an annual cycle. In tandem we will investigate the factors that may play a role in controlling biodiversity - physico-chemical conditions, protozoan grazing and viral infection. The download file contains a spreadsheet of data, as well as a document detailing the findings of the project.