Abstract:<p>Over the last decades, a progressive glacier melting has been detected induced by climate change which cause a rapid enlargement of ice-free areas in glacier forelands in Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine regions. These recently deglaciated areas represent highly dynamic environments in terms of vegetation development and soil formation. Tundra plant communities of glacier forelands mainly consist of cryptogamic species forming biological soil crusts (BSCs) on the surface. These BSCs are known to p… Show more
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