Abstract
Biological soil crusts impress vegetation patches and fertile islands over an arid pediment, Iran
Highlights
The ecosystems of arid and semi-arid regions worldwide are known for their sparse vegetation and scarce biological resources (Toranjzar et al 2009)
Underneath the plant patches and the empty spaces between them are covered by biological soil crusts
Biological soil crusts lead to the formation and development of fertile islands in between vegetation patches via nitrogen and carbon fixation and the permeation of runoff water and nutrients in the soil
Summary
The ecosystems of arid and semi-arid regions worldwide are known for their sparse vegetation and scarce biological resources (Toranjzar et al 2009). Plant patches are richer in terms of nutrients and more suitable conditions in terms of soil properties such as permeability, nutrient accumulation, and stability, called “fertile patches” They act as an oasis or shelter during environmental stresses and have been named “fertile islands” (Bolling and Walker 2002; Schlesinger et al 1990). Biological soil crusts lead to the formation and development of fertile islands in between vegetation patches via nitrogen and carbon fixation and the permeation of runoff water and nutrients in the soil. Conclusions: The findings indicated that biological crusts had impacted the allocation of soil parameters They affect the formation of plant patches by increasing the soil’s organic carbon, nitrogen, moisture and nutrient content provide a suitable space for plant growth by increasing the soil fertility in the inter-patch space
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