Ross Virginia, Dartmouth College (IMAGE) Dartmouth College Caption Dartmouth Professor Ross Virginia, an expert in polar ecosystem ecology and policy issues, and his colleagues have found that soil water and microbes' respiration contribute to fluctuations of carbon dioxide in the world's coldest desert, where climate change is expected to increase underground moisture and microorganisms. Credit Dartmouth College Usage Restrictions Credit Dartmouth College License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.