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Water Sources for Cyanobacteria Below Desert Rocks in the Negev Desert Determined by ConductivityWe present year round meteorological and conductivity measurements of colonized hypolithic rocks in the Arava Valley, Negev Desert, Israel. The data indicate that while dew is common in the Negev it is not an important source of moisture for hypolithic organisms at this site. The dominance of cyanobacteria in the hypolithic community are consistent with predictions that cyanobacteria are confined to habitats supplied by rain. To monitor the presence of liquid water under the small Negev rocks we developed and tested a simple field conductivity system based on two wires placed about 0.5 cm apart. Based on 21 replicates recorded for one year in the Negev we conclude that in natural rains (0.25 mm to 6 mm) the variability between sensor readings is between 20 and 60% decreasing with increasing rain amount. We conclude that the simple small electrical conductivity system described here can be used effectively to monitor liquid water levels in lithic habitats. However, the natural variability of these sensors indicates that several replicates should be deployed. The results and method presented have use in arid desert reclamation programs.
Document ID
20160004670
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
External Source(s)
doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2016.02.010
Authors
McKay, Christopher P. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
April 6, 2016
Publication Date
February 29, 2016
Publication Information
Publisher: Elsevier
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN30317
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
hypoliths
Negev Desert
cyanobacteria
Dew
Rain

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