Geothermal Biodiversity
We are cataloguing New Zealand’s unique terrestrial extremophile biodiversity and ecology.
One feature that makes New Zealand unlike any other place on Earth is the presence of a vast array of extreme environments in a small geographical area. These include volcanic crater lakes, steaming ground, deep subsurface coal seams, hot springs and boiling mud pools. The majority of these environments are found in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) which extends from Mt Ruapehu to White Island.
Research has shown that these environments support microorganisms that thrive under extreme physical and chemical stresses that other life forms cannot withstand.
Researchers at GNS Science are interested in detailed taxonomic, genetic, metabolic, and ecological characterisation of these microbial biota. We seek to investigate the factors that influence biocomplexity within and across the systems, and to understand the biogeochemical processes catalysed by their microbial communities.
This research will provide information for:
-
Definition of these natural resources
- Effective management of extreme ecosystems
- Improved awareness of a unique ecosystem
- New methods for characterising microbial biodiversity
- Specialised capability in New Zealand
- Springboard for scientific endeavour
- Commercial opportunities
Examples of New Zealand’s microbial biodiversity include:
- 16s rRNA study of geothermal environments in the Taupo Volcanic Zone
- Extremophilic microorganisms at Champagne Pool, Waiotapu