Abstract
BackgroundBiological soil crusts are common components of desert ecosystem; they cover ground surface and interact with topsoil that contribute to desertification control and degraded land restoration in arid and semiarid regions.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo distinguish the changes in topsoil affected by biological soil crusts, we compared topsoil properties across three types of successional biological soil crusts (algae, lichens, and mosses crust), as well as the referenced sandland in the Mu Us Desert, Northern China. Relationships between fractal dimensions of soil particle size distribution and selected soil properties were discussed as well. The results indicated that biological soil crusts had significant positive effects on soil physical structure (P<0.05); and soil organic carbon and nutrients showed an upward trend across the successional stages of biological soil crusts. Fractal dimensions ranged from 2.1477 to 2.3032, and significantly linear correlated with selected soil properties (R2 = 0.494∼0.955, P<0.01).Conclusions/SignificanceBiological soil crusts cause an important increase in soil fertility, and are beneficial to sand fixation, although the process is rather slow. Fractal dimension proves to be a sensitive and useful index for quantifying changes in soil properties that additionally implies desertification. This study will be essential to provide a firm basis for future policy-making on optimal solutions regarding desertification control and assessment, as well as degraded ecosystem restoration in arid and semiarid regions.
Highlights
Biological soil crusts (BSCs) refer to the cohesive, thin, horizontal layer of soil surface created by soil crust organisms composed of algae, lichens, and mosses, which are widespread throughout the world [1,2]
The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the changes in topsoil properties affected by BSCs; (2) to explore the possibility that fractal dimension (D) of soil particle size distribution (PSD) can be used as a practical index for quantifying variations in soil properties and the implications of desertification
There was a clear tendency to increase from sandland to BSCs sites in soil total porosity, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil nutrients, clay and silt particle contents, accompanying decrease in soil bulk density, and sand particle contents
Summary
Biological soil crusts (BSCs) refer to the cohesive, thin, horizontal layer of soil surface created by soil crust organisms composed of algae, lichens, and mosses, which are widespread throughout the world [1,2]. BSCs in deserts engage in multitudinous ecological processes, and serve as the impetus of the habitation of plants, animals, and fragile physical environments [7,8,9]. These biological communities cover the open space between higher plants [5], and dominate the harshest habitats while enduring drought, cold, soil salinity, strong wind, high temperature and radiation in arid and semiarid regions [10]. Biological soil crusts are common components of desert ecosystem; they cover ground surface and interact with topsoil that contribute to desertification control and degraded land restoration in arid and semiarid regions
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