Note: Cover -- Half-title -- Series-title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Contributors -- 1 Introduction -- An early chronology of the dry valleys as a Mars analog -- Summary of chapters in this book -- References -- 2 Geologic analogies between the surface of Mars and the McMurdo Dry Valleys microclimate-related geomorphic features and evidence for climate change -- Abstract -- Introduction -- The McMurdo Dry Valleys -- Physical setting and current climate conditions -- Processes that influence the geomorphology of the MDV -- Katabatic winds -- Active-layer cryoturbation -- Cold-based glaciation -- MDV microclimate zones -- The importance of salts and brines -- Mars -- Current conditions and physical setting -- Salts and brines in the martian environment -- Summary of environmental conditions on Mars -- Geomorphic analyses of equilibrium landforms on Earth and Mars -- Macroscale features -- McMurdo Dry Valleys slope asymmetry, drainage-basin asymmetry, and gullies -- Coastal thaw zone (CTZ) -- Inland mixed zone (IMZ) -- Stable upland zone (SUZ) -- Synthesis -- Mars gullies and slope asymmetry -- Mesoscale features -- McMurdo Dry Valleys contraction-crack polygons -- Coastal thaw zone -- Inland mixed zone -- Stable upland zone -- Synthesis -- Mars contraction-crack polygons -- McMurdo Dry Valleys viscous-flow features -- Solifluction lobes, gelifluction lobes, and debris-covered glaciers -- Coastal thaw zone -- Inland mixed zone -- Stable upland zone -- Synthesis -- Mars viscous-flow features -- Microscale features -- McMurdo Dry Valleys tafoni, weathering pits, desert pavements, and duricrusts -- Coastal thaw zone -- Inland mixed zone -- Stable upland zone -- Synthesis -- Mars microscale topography -- Geomorphic evidence for climate change -- Geomorphic evidence for recent climate change in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. , Geomorphic evidence for recent climate change on Mars -- Climate change in the earlier history of Mars -- Antarctica as an astrobiological analog for Mars -- Summary and conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 3 The legacy of aqueous environments on soils of the McMurdo Dry Valleys contexts for future exploration of martian soils -- Introduction -- Comparisons of the antarctic and martian surface environments -- Climatic and atmospheric conditions -- Hydrology -- Soils and geomorphology -- Geochemical legacies of aqueous environments in the McMurdo Dry Valleys -- Contemporary influences of water on surface geochemistry -- Legacy effects of paleolakes on surface soil geochemistry -- Considerations for future investigations of Mars -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 4 The antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial ecosystem -- Introduction -- The Ross Desert -- The rock substratum and biogenous weathering -- Microbiota -- The Chroococcidiopsis community -- The lichen-dominated community -- The Hemichloris community -- The red Gloeocapsa community -- The Hormathonema-Gloeocapsa community -- Ecology -- The physicochemical environment in the cryptoendolithic habitat -- Temperature -- Light -- Moisture -- Nutrients -- Adaptations -- Temperature -- Light -- Moisture -- Turnover time and productivity -- Amino acid racemization and pseudoracemization -- Implications for possible life on Mars -- Dedication -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 5 Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analog to fluvial systems on Mars -- Introduction -- Fluvial processes in the Dry Valleys -- Fluvial history of Mars -- Stream ecosystems in the Dry Valleys -- Comparisons and contrasts between Mars and the Dry Valleys -- References -- 6 Saline lakes and ponds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys: ecological analogs to martian paleolake environments -- Introduction. , Paleolakes on Mars -- The McMurdo Dry Valleys ice-covered lakes and ponds -- History/evolution of the Taylor Valley lakes -- Consequences of lake level fluctuations -- Lake Fryxell -- Lake Hoare -- Lake Bonney -- Lake Vanda -- Lake Vida -- Dry valley ponds -- Description of dry valley microbial mats -- Microbial mats growing under perennial ice cover -- Microbial mats in shallow water environments -- Unique McMurdo Dry Valleys features -- Permanent lake ice covers -- Description of Blood Falls -- Description of Don Juan Pond -- Summary -- References -- 7 The biogeochemistry and hydrology of McMurdo Dry Valley glaciers is there life on martian ice now? -- Introduction -- Dry Valley glaciers -- Climate -- Physical characteristics -- Hydrology -- Cryoconite holes and cryolakes biogeochemical reactors -- Summary of prerequisites for microbial life in Dry Valley glaciers -- Analogs with Mars -- Conclusions -- References -- 8 Factors promoting microbial diversity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica -- The McMurdo Dry Valley ecosystem -- The McMurdo Dry Valley food web -- Microbial biodiversity of MDV habitats -- Streams -- Lakes -- Soils -- Cryoconites -- Ecological factors promoting diversity in the MDV -- Spatial heterogeneity -- Competition and predation -- Temporal variability and disturbance -- Conclusions -- References -- 9 Other analogs to Mars high-altitude, subsurface, desert, and polar environments -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Declining lake habitats -- High-altitude lakes environment -- Investigation -- Evolution of habitat and life -- Subsurface aqueous habitats -- The Ro Tinto system -- Mars analogy -- The MARTE project -- Arctic environments -- Springs on Earth and Mars -- Haughton Crater and Devon Island -- The Haughton-Mars Project -- Haughton Crater and Mars -- Devon Island and Mars -- Aridity and desert analogs. , Robotic exploration of habitats and life -- Terrain morphology and appearance -- Planetary rover prototypes -- Desert Trek -- Biogeologic mapping -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Index.