We investigate the spatial distribution, spectral properties and temporal variability of primary producers (e.g. communities of microbial mats and mosses) throughout the Fryxell basin of Taylor Valley, Antarctica, using high-resolution multispectral remote-sensing data. Our results suggest that photosynthetic communities can be readily detected throughout the Fryxell basin based on their unique near-infrared spectral signatures. Observed intra- and inter-annual variability in spectral signatures are consistent with short-term variations in mat distribution, hydration and photosynthetic activity. Spectral unmixing is also implemented in order to estimate mat abundance, with the most densely vegetated regions observed from orbit correlating spatially with some of the most productive regions of the Fryxell basin. Our work establishes remote sensing as a valuable tool in the study of these ecological communities in the McMurdo Dry Valleys and demonstrates how future scientific investigations and the management of specially protected areas could benefit from these tools and techniques.

中文翻译：

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南极洲泰勒谷 Fryxell 盆地光合群落的远程表征

我们使用高分辨率多光谱遥感数据研究了整个南极洲泰勒谷 Fryxell 盆地的初级生产者（例如微生物垫和苔藓群落）的空间分布、光谱特性和时间变异性。我们的研究结果表明，基于其独特的近红外光谱特征，可以在整个 Fryxell 盆地中轻松检测到光合群落。观察到的光谱特征的年内和年际变化与垫子分布、水合作用和光合活性的短期变化是一致的。为了估计垫子丰度，还实施了光谱分离，从轨道上观察到的最密集的植被区域在空间上与 Fryxell 盆地的一些生产力最高的区域相关。