The EXPOSOILS Project - Studying Microbes in a Warming Antarctica

The EXPOSOILS project, funded by BELSPO, investigates how microbial communities in Antarctic soils respond to warming conditions. Researchers collect samples from dry valleys and specially protected areas near the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station, using experimental setups such as open-top chambers that slightly increase temperatures to simulate future climate scenarios.

Snow fences and other protective measures help maintain controlled conditions, ensuring that the study captures how microbial life may adapt to climate change. By understanding these tiny yet vital organisms, EXPOSOILS contributes to broader insights into ecosystem resilience and environmental change in Antarctica.