Anhydrophilic, Halotolerant Microbial Mats of San Salvador, Bahamas

The specific goals for this observatory are to:

1. Describe the structural and microbial diversity of the different mat communities in relation to water availability.
2. Assess the influence water availability has on primary production, EPS production, and EPS degradation.
3. Isolate and characterize novel organisms and genes involved in EPS production and degradation.
4. Develop a conceptual model linking climate and water budget data, water availability, primary production, and EPS production and turnover.