Microbial ecology of the Namib Desert

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearch

  • J. B. Ramond
  • J. Baxter
  • G. Maggs-Kölling
  • Martinez Alvarez, Laura
  • D. A. Read
  • C. León-Sobrino
  • A. J. Van der Walt
  • D. A. Cowan

In this book chapter, we focus on the research performed to date on the microbiology and microbial ecology of the Namib Desert, one of the oldest hyperarid deserts on Earth. Microbial communities consist of complex assemblages of interacting microorganisms, ranging from viruses to small eukaryotes (such as nematodes and springtails) and these microbial community members have all been studied, to a certain extent, in the Namib Desert. It is worth noting that most of the microbial ecology research performed in the Namib Desert has taken place in the central Namib Desert, in the vicinity of the Gobabeb Research and Training Center (http://www.gobabebtrc.org/). Nevertheless, in this chapter, we have attempted to review all the scientific literature available on the microbiology and microbial ecology of the Namib Desert.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationModel Ecosystems in Extreme Environments
Number of pages31
PublisherElsevier
Publication date2019
Pages113-143
Chapter6
ISBN (Print)9780128127438
ISBN (Electronic)9780128127421
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

    Research areas

  • Archaea, Eukaryotes, Fungi, Microbial ecology, Microorganisms, Namib Desert

ID: 371193737