McMurdo Dry Valleys Soil Wetting Effects on Soil Biota

Investigation of the effect of short-term variation in soil moisture and soil temperature on nematode anhydrobiosis as part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project. Â The percent of anhydrobiotic (coiled) nematodes with relation to soil moisture, temperature, and salinity was determined. Â Samples were collected in the south side of the Lake Hoare. Â Â The study began at 1030 on 10 December 1997 and ended on 11 December 1997. The samples were taken at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hrs. Â