Project Objective
This project aims to investigate the microbial diversity of debris-cover glaciers worldwide and it is led by the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The aim is to understand the dynamics of microbial communities inhabiting such extreme environments.
General description
Debris-cover glaciers are common in the Himalayas and surrounding ranges, and they represent unique cryospheric systems influenced by both climatic and geological factors. These unique cryospheric systems can also be found in the Alps, the Andes, and Alaska.
The characterization of microbial biodiversity across varying debris thicknesses, altitudes, and geographic regions will allow to explore how microbial activity influences debris-cover glacier surface processes, including nutrient cycling. This project will enhance our understanding of glacier microbiomes and their global environmental significance.
Collaborators
Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) (http://english.imde.cas.cn/)
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