Determination of the representative elementary area (REA) of biocrusts: A case study from the Hilly Loess Plateau region, China

Wang, Shanshan; Liu, Baoyuan; Zhao, Yu-Guo; Gao, Liqian; Yin, Bing; Yang, Kai; Ji, Jingyi

doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115502

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Landform surface processes have been shown to influence the biocrusts' composition and coverage (Bowker et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2022). This study investigated the variation in biocrusts coverage and composition in response to variations of the landform surface features along an alluvial fan in Iran and the indirect effects of these changes on the underlying soil properties.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Spatial relationship of landform surface features and biocrusts, and their effect on soil microbial biomass on an alluvial fan

Hassanzadeh Bashtian,

Karimi,

Sepehr

et al. 2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The spatial cover of biocrusts represents a suitable habitat for the activity of soil microorganisms in semi‐arid and arid regions. Microorganisms are one of the essential components of soil quality. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the processes of biocrust habitat formation in landforms and their mutual relationship with soil properties. We studied the spatial distribution of biocrusts and their effect on soil microbial biomass and carbon activity in a semi‐arid alluvial fan in NE Iran. A total of 72 soil samples (using plots 0.25 m2) from the topsoil layers (0–5 cm) were collected along the alluvial fan in September 2020. Soil surface properties and microbial biomass in two categories of biocrust and non‐biocrust were investigated in three classes of biocrusts coverage obtained by geostatistics. Our results revealed that biocrusts had a negative correlation with gravel coverage and elevation; in contrast, the suitable spaces for biocrusts growth were created by cobble clasts. The biocrusts have provided favourable conditions for soil microorganisms by altering the properties of the soil (such as increasing organic carbon, nitrogen and available phosphorus and decreasing pH), and thus they increased basal soil respiration and microbial biomass. Different microbial activities were led by the predominant type of biocrusts, as the chlorolichen crusts had the most significant effect on increasing the microbial biomass phosphorus while cyanolichen crusts increased the microbial biomass carbon. Moss and cyanolichen crusts increased microbial activity and respiration more than cyanobacteria crusts. Therefore, the soil quality has improved by biocrusts in semi‐arid ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effect Of Landform Surfaces On Biocrust Coveragementioning

confidence: 99%