Biological Soil Crusts in European Temperate and Mediterranean Regions

Abstract

Biological soil crusts, dominated by either algae, lichens, or mosses are, from floristic, taxonomical, and phytosociological points of view, well investigated in Europe (e.g., Fritsch and John 1942; Wilmanns 1959; de Winder 1990; Paus 1997). However, this does not mean that their role in dynamics and ecology is well known, as the role of biological soil crusts as pioneers in disturbed soils remains unstudied. In general, an extensive literature exists from mediterranean and temperate regions, often approaching local soil-crust communities from a phytosociological viewpoint. Consequently, only a selection of a few of the most relevant publications is given here.KeywordsSoil CrustBiological Soil CrustGray DuneNostoc PunctiformeFruticose LichenThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.