Abstract
Algae are the pioneer species of biological soil crusts. Cyanobacteria, microschwannophyta and pseudocladophyta can form fixed quicksand algae crusts on the surface of sand surface. Through artificial culture, soil crusts can be formed in a short time. The development and succession of algeal-sand crust promoted the enrichment of nutrients in the sand surface layer, and created conditions for the reproduction of micro-soil organisms and the colonization of herbaceous plants, thus promoting the desert ecosystem to enter a virtuous cycle. This chapter will focus on the cultivation process of artificial soil crust and its effect on soil improvement (soil organic matter and nitrogen) in sandy areas. In conclusion, the application of algal solution can rapidly form algal crusts, and according to the research results, the formation of algal crusts can significantly improve the chemical and biological properties of soil.
Highlights
The results showed that precipitation and low light intensity could significantly increase the biomass of artificial algae crusting [24]
The soil total carbon content was significantly increased by 72.6% (P < 0.05) by spraying mixed algae with the ratio of Microcolus vaginatus: Scytonema sinense: Phormidum lucidum 3:2:1 (Figure 3)
The results showed that the soil bulk density in the 0–5 cm surface layer had a decreasing trend after spraying different proportion of algae culture solution, and the soil bulk density in the mixed algae Microcolus vaginatus: Scytonema sinense: Phormidum lucidum 3:2:1 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05)
Summary
China is one of the countries most seriously affected by desertification in the world. Biological soil crust refers to the complex surface cover formed by the interaction of cyanobacteria, green algae, lichens, mosses, microorganisms and other related organisms on and below the soil surface with soil surface particles through mycelium, pseudoroots and secretions As ground cover, it generally exists in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, and its coverage accounts for 70% of bare land area [3]. It could increase the enzyme activity such as soil urease, invertase, catalase and dehydrogenase [15–19] It has obvious ecological functions in soil and water conservation, improvement, windbreak and sand fixation, and response to global climate change [20], which is of great significance to the sustainable development of desert landscape. The naturally developed BSC has a good sand fixation effect, so can we use artificial cultivation of BSC as a new method to prevent and control desertification? The artificial cultivation method of BSC and its effect on soil improvement in sandy areas will be described in detail
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