Through the National Science Foundation funded McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research project, researchers from CU Boulder and elsewhere are working to explore and understand one of the most extreme landscapes on our planet⁠—the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The Dry Valleys are a cold desert with large areas of exposed soils that experience very low temperatures, limited snowfall, and high salt levels. Discover the tiny but tough inhabitants of the Dry Valleys and the fascinating science happening here at the bottom of the world.

 

Life at the Extremes

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in Antarctica?

Coats Land Plateau. (David Tipling / Minden Pictures)

Tiny Life, Global Lessons

This is a world where microbes rule. But you’ve got to have grit (and water) to make it.

Algal mats from the Dry Valleys. (Mike Gooseff / NSF)

The Few, the Proud, the Researchers

Learn about the people behind the science.

Lake Vida Expedition. (Hilary Dugan / NSF)

NSF and LTR logosThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Grant #OPP-1637708 for Long Term Ecological Research.