The Processes Behind Ecological Connectivity of a Polar Desert, the McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica
Prof. Michael Gooseff
Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Colorado Boulder
Monday September 15, 2025, 2 PM ET
Abstract:
The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) are the largest ice-free region of Antarctica and they host communities of organisms that persist and even thrive in the cold, dry conditions. Ecological connectivity is a concept that has been developed to recognize and quantify the exchanges and cycling of matter and organisms that underpin ecosystem functions. In the MDVs, ecosystem connectivity is largely driven by physical processes. The McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research (MCM LTER) project has studied this ecosystem and these processes for over 30 years. Here I will present our findings on the importance of wind and water as vectors of nutrients, carbon, and organisms across this barren landscape of open soils, glaciers, streams, and ice-covered lakes. This ecosystem is surprisingly resilient to change based on the perturbations observed in the past 3 decades, mostly attributable to the consistency of these connective processes.
Biosketch:
Michael (Mike) Gooseff is a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, the same institution from which he earned his MS and PhD in Civil Engineering – many years ago and many jobs since. Mike conducted his PhD research in the McMurdo Dry Valleys and continued to conduct research there over his career. In 2015 he became the most recent lead PI of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research (MCM LTER) project, which was founded in 1993. His research focuses on stream-groundwater interactions and implications for biogeochemical cycling. Early in his academic career, he shifted to the northern polar regions, conducting field research in northern Alaska from the Toolik Field Station 15 years. His current Antarctic research is complemented by studies of water quality along the Upper Colorado River. In 2023 he began a new role as the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder.
Webinar:
Event site: https://go.umd.edu/gooseff
Zoom Webinar: https://go.umd.edu/essicseminarwebinars
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For IT assistance:
Cazzy Medley: cazzy@umd.edu
Resources:
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Seminar Google calendar: https://go.umd.edu/essicseminarcalendar
Seminar recordings on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ESSICUMD
