space ecology

--- In ssi_list@... "Mautner, Michael"
>
> Hello to the ssi group. I am a rsearch scientist and have been
> interested in space colonisation since Gerry O'Neill's lectures in
the
> 1970's. I was an early member of the L5 Society, in the New York
> chapter. It is encouraging to see a renewal of interest in the
subject.
>
> I am a research chemist, now in New Zealand, and in the last five
> years have been studying the biological and soil potentials of
> carbonaceous chondrites, that will be likely sources of organics
and
> maybe water for the colonies. The results show, in short, that
complex
> soil microbial commmunities, including bacteria and algae, can
live on
> these materials and they would be suitable resources for space
> agriculture. A recent paper (Icarus 2002, 158, 72-86) is on
> www.astroecology.com
> I am enjoying the group discussions and will participate. It would
be
> good to the see ideas on the biology and ecology of space
> colonization.
>
> Michael Mautner
>
> Michael N. Mautner
> Senior Research Fellow
> Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division
> Lincoln University
> Lincoln, New Zealand
> Telephone (64) (3) 325-2811 ext 8352
> Fax (64) (3) 325-3844
> E-mail mautnerm@...
>
> Senior Fellow
> Department of Chemistry
> University of Canterbury
> Christchurch 8001
> New Zealand
> E-mail m.mautner@...

Welcome to the list. I'll look forward to your comments on topics
you find of interest. Keep in mind that are discussions are archived
and are accessable and searchable via the website.

Some recent threads that you might be inclined to lend your expert
opinion on:

I look forward to participating in threads you begin.

TangoMan