Surface roughness response of biocrust-covered soil to mimicked sheep trampling in the Mu Us sandy Land, northern China

Yong-sheng, WU; Li, Xinrong; Hasi-Eerdun,; Yin, Rui-Ping; Liu, Tiejun

doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.114146

Cited by 11 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Moreover, it can reduce the soil microbial biomass ( Yang et al, 2018 ). However, the late-successional crusts have a higher tolerance to trampling disturbance compared to early-successional crusts ( Wu et al, 2020 ). Further, damage to biocrusts can increase the likelihood of invasion by exotic species ( Song et al, 2017a , b ), which is likely to alter the multifunctionality of desert ecosystems ( Li et al, 2013a ).…”

Section: Biocrust Responses To Disturbancesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biocrust Research in China: Recent Progress and Application in Land Degradation Control

Rong

Tan

et al. 2021

Front. Plant Sci.

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Desert ecosystems are generally considered lifeless habitats characterised by extreme environmental conditions, yet they are successfully colonised by various biocrust nonvascular communities. A biocrust is not only an important ecosystem engineer and a bioindicator of desert ecological restoration but also plays a vital role in linking surficial abiotic and biotic factors. Thus, extensive research has been conducted on biocrusts in critical dryland zones. However, few studies have been conducted in the vast temperate deserts of China prior to the beginning of this century. We reviewed the research on biocrusts conducted in China since 2000, which firstly focused on the eco-physiological responses of biocrusts to species composition, abiotic stresses, and anthropological disturbances. Further, research on the spatial distributions of biocrusts as well as their succession at different spatial scales, and relationships with vascular plants and soil biomes (especially underlying mechanisms of seed retention, germination, establishment and survival of vascular plants during biocrust succession, and creation of suitable niches and food webs for soil animals and microorganisms) was analysed. Additionally, studies emphasising on the contribution of biocrusts to ecological and hydrological processes in deserts as well as their applications in the cultivation and inoculation of nonvascular plants for land degradation control and ecological restoration were assessed. Finally, recent research on biocrusts was evaluated to propose future emerging research themes and new frontiers.

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