Influence of vegetation factors on biological soil crust cover on rehabilitated grassland in the hilly Loess Plateau, China

Abstract

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) perform essential ecosystem functions in arid and semi-arid ecosystems worldwide. The formation, development, and distribution of BSCs are influenced by changes in multiple environmental factors, including changes in the vascular plant community. The influence of changes in vegetation factors on BSC cover in 8-, 12-, and 16-year-old rehabilitated grasslands were studied in the hilly area of the Chinese Loess Plateau. The rate of degradation of BSCs underneath litter (P < 0.01) and the degradation cover of BSCs (P < 0.05) differed significantly between the 8- and 16-year-old successions. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that the main vegetation factors influencing the dynamics of BSC cover differed among the 8-, 12-, and 16-year-old rehabilitated grasslands. Basal cover, phytomass, and litter cover were the main vegetation factors influencing the dynamics of BSC cover on 8-year-old rehabilitated grassland. Phytomass, litter thickness, and litter cover were the main factors influencing the dynamics of BSC cover on 12-year-old rehabilitated grassland. On 16-year-old rehabilitated grassland, Pielou evenness index, litter thickness, and litter biomass were the main vegetation factors influencing degradation of BSC cover underneath litter, whereas basal cover, litter thickness, and litter biomass were the main vegetation factors influencing the degradation cover of BSCs. At particular stages of herbaceous succession, vegetation factors can have a large influence on changes in the community’s basal cover and litter, which are key factors influencing changes in BSC cover. The degradation of BSCs underneath litter may be a result of complicated eco-physiological processes.