Vulnerability of desert biological soil crusts to wind erosion: the influences of crust development, soil texture, and disturbance

Belnap, Jayne; Gillette, Dale A.

doi:10.1006/jare.1998.0388

Cited by 498 publications

(294 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…At one site, early estimates were 400 years to recovery, while later estimates were 42 Belnap and Gillette (1997). Belnap and Gillette (1998).…”

Section: Factors Influencing Natural Recovery Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biological crusts play an important role both in preventing soil loss and facilitating soil accretion. The degree to which different types of crusts protect the soil surface from both wind and water erosion is hierarchical in the following manner: bare soil < cyanobacterial/algal crust < lichen crust < moss crust (Tchoupopnou 1989;Kinnell et al 1990;Eldridge and Greene 1994;Belnap and Gillette 1998). Polysaccharides exuded by cyanobacteria and green algae, in combination with lichen and moss rhizines, entrap and bind soil particles together, increasing the size of soil aggregates (Fig.…”

Section: Soil Stabilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4.7; Williams et al 1995b;McKenna-Neuman 1996;Gillette 1997, 1998;Leys and Eldridge 1998). Vehicle tires result in greater damage than hooves on a given soil type (Belnap and Gillette 1998).…”

Section: Wind Erosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. DrylandsA Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. Drylands

Root

2013

The Bryologist

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“…At one site, early estimates were 400 years to recovery, while later estimates were 42 Belnap and Gillette (1997). Belnap and Gillette (1998).…”

Section: Factors Influencing Natural Recovery Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Soil Stabilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. DrylandsA Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. Drylands

Root

2013

The Bryologist

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“…Many studies have reported the compress strength and wind erosion resistance of BSCs [6,12,43]. LSCs were congruously considered to have a stronger ability than ASCs [12,43], but the mechanisms for this are still unknown.…”

Section: Crust Structure and Compressive Strengthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…LSCs were congruously considered to have a stronger ability than ASCs [12,43], but the mechanisms for this are still unknown. The compress strength of ASCs is mainly related to the inorganic layer on the surface of ASCs [6], and the resistance against the wind erosion is closely related to algal biomass, filament morphology, niche, crust thickness, soil texture, and so on [12].…”

Section: Crust Structure and Compressive Strengthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small-Scale Vertical Distribution of Algae and Structure of Lichen Soil Crusts

Lan

Zhang

et al. 2011

Microb Ecol

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Although many studies have been conducted on the ecological functions and ecophysiological characteristics of lichen soil crusts (LSCs), no explanation of these results has been provided based on crust structures. Using algae soil crusts (ASCs) as comparison, this work studied the small-scale vertical distribution of algal biomass and stratification in two types of LSCs, by combining the binocular stereomicroscope observations, microscope observations, plate cultures, chlorophyll analysis, and polysaccharides analysis. The results showed an obvious difference in the proportion but not the composition of the algae species between the ASCs and the two LSCs. Approximately 60% and 80% of the total algal biomass were concentrated in the top 1 mm of the soil profile and thalli in the ASCs and LSCs, respectively. This implies that symbiotic algae are the dominant species and primary organic carbon producers in LSCs, and the algal biomass decreased with the depth in both the ASCs and LSCs. The small-scale vertical distributions of the crustal algal biomass and polysaccharides were characterized by obvious successional stage, whereas these were unrelated to the crust type within the successional stage. Additionally, a large amount of fungi, which were always piercing the entire crusts, were observed in the LSCs, but only occasionally in the ASCs. These special structures are purported to cause the LSCs to achieve specific ecological functions, such as higher carbon fixation and greater compressive strength. High biomass, large living space, and advantageous resource utilization privilege suggest that the lichen association is mutualistic and the direction from ASCs to LSCs is developmental.

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Rapidly restoring biological soil crusts and ecosystem functions in a severely disturbed desert ecosystem

Chiquoine

Abella

Bowker

2016

Ecological Applications

109

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Restoring biological soil crusts (biocrusts) in degraded drylands can contribute to recovery of ecosystem functions that have global implications, including erosion resistance and nutrient cycling. To examine techniques for restoring biocrusts, we conducted a replicated, factorial experiment on recently abandoned road surfaces by applying biocrust inoculation (salvaged and stored dry for two years), salvaged topsoil, an abiotic soil amendment (wood shavings), and planting of a dominant perennial shrub (Ambrosia dumosa). Eighteen months after treatments, we measured biocrust abundance and species composition, soil chlorophyll a content and fertility, and soil resistance to erosion. Biocrust addition significantly accelerated biocrust recovery on disturbed soils, including increasing lichen and moss cover and cyanobacteria colonization. Compared to undisturbed controls, inoculated plots had similar lichen and moss composition, recovered 43% of total cyanobacteria density, had similar soil chlorophyll content, and exhibited recovery of soil fertility and soil stability. Inoculation was the only treatment that generated lichen and moss cover. Topsoil application resulted in partial recovery of the cyanobacteria community and soil properties. Compared to untreated disturbed plots, topsoil application without inoculum increased cyanobacteria density by 186% and moderately improved soil chlorophyll and ammonium content and soil stability. Topsoil application produced 22% and 51% of the cyanobacteria density g⁻¹ soil compared to undisturbed and inoculated plots, respectively. Plots not treated with either topsoil or inoculum had significantly lower cyanobacteria density, soil chlorophyll and ammonium concentrations, and significantly higher soil nitrate concentration. Wood shavings and Ambrosia had no influence on biocrust lichen and moss species recovery but did affect cyanobacteria composition and soil fertility. Inoculation of severely disturbed soil with native biocrusts rapidly restored biocrust communities and soil stability such that restored areas were similar to undisturbed desert within three years. Using salvaged biocrust as inoculum can be an effective tool in ecological restoration because of its efficacy and simple implementation. Although salvaging biocrust material can be technically difficult and potentially costly, utilizing opportunities to salvage material in planned future disturbance can provide additional land management tools.

show abstract

Vulnerability of desert biological soil crusts to wind erosion: the influences of crust development, soil texture, and disturbance

Cited by 498 publications

References 14 publications

A Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. DrylandsA Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. Drylands

A Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. DrylandsA Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. Drylands

Small-Scale Vertical Distribution of Algae and Structure of Lichen Soil Crusts

Rapidly restoring biological soil crusts and ecosystem functions in a severely disturbed desert ecosystem

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