Extremophiles are organisms capable of adjust, survive or thrive in hostile habitats that were
previously thought to be adverse or lethal for life. Chile gathers a wide range of extreme …

Yeasts are microscopic fungi inhabiting all Earth environments, including those inhospitable
for most life forms, considered extreme environments. According to their habitats, yeasts …

The updated Köppen–Geiger climate classification for continental Chile is a cartographic
product of great interest for climate research in the South American context. This study …

Traces of life are nearly ubiquitous on Earth. However, a central unresolved question is
whether these traces always indicate an active microbial community or whether, in extreme …

In an era of rapid climate change and expansion of desertification, the extremely harsh
conditions of drylands are a true challenge for microbial life. Under drought conditions …

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are complex consortia of microorganisms able to modify soil
physical, chemical, and hydrological characteristics and influence soil erosion resistance …

The Atacama Desert, northern Chile, is one of the driest deserts on Earth and, as such, a
natural laboratory to explore the limits of life and the strategies evolved by microorganisms …

Highlights•The hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert is one of the most abiotic places on
Earth.•The Atacama Desert's core is a polyextreme environment for all forms of …

In hyperarid deserts, endolithic microbial communities colonize the rocks' interior as a
survival strategy. Yet, the composition of these communities and the drivers promoting their …

Background The lack of water is a major constraint for microbial life in hyperarid deserts.
Consequently, the abundance and diversity of microorganisms in common habitats such as …