Biological soil crusts exhibit a dynamic response to seasonal rain and release from grazing with implications for soil stability
Journal of Arid Environments
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
In Northern Mexico, long-term grazing has substantially degraded semiarid landscapes. In semiarid systems, ecological and hydrological processes are strongly coupled by patchy plant distribution and biological soil crust (BSC) cover in plant-free interspaces. In this study, we asked: 1) how responsive are BSC cover/composition to a drying/wetting cycle and two-year grazing removal, and 2) what are the implications for soil erosion? We characterized BSC morphotypes and their influence on soil stability under grazed/non-grazed conditions during a dry and wet season. Light- and dark-colored cyanobacteria were dominant at the plant tussock and community level. Cover changes in these two groups differed after a rainy season and in response to grazing removal. Lichens with continuous thalli were more vulnerable to grazing than those with semi-continuous/discontinuous thalli after the dry season. Microsites around tussocks facilitated BSC colonization compared to interspaces. Lichen and cyanobacteria morphotypes differentially enhanced resistance to soil erosion; consequently, surface soil stability depends on the spatial distribution of BSC morphotypes, suggesting soil stability may be as dynamic as changes in the type of BSC cover. Longer-term spatially detailed studies are necessary to elicit spatiotemporal dynamics of BSC communities and their functional role in biotically and abiotically variable environments. ?? 2009 Elsevier Ltd.
Suggested Citation
Jimenez, A.A., Huber-Sannwald, E., Belnap, J., Smart, D., Arredondo, M.J., 2009, Biological soil crusts exhibit a dynamic response to seasonal rain and release from grazing with implications for soil stability: Journal of Arid Environments, v. 73, no. 12, p. 1158-1169, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.05.009.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Biological soil crusts exhibit a dynamic response to seasonal rain and release from grazing with implications for soil stability |
| Series title | Journal of Arid Environments |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.05.009 |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Arid Environments |
| First page | 1158 |
| Last page | 1169 |