Abstract

Biological Soil Crusts (BSCs) represent an important part of the living cover in drylands worldwide. BCSs change soil hydrology due to extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)-excreting species of cyanobacteria, dominant members of dryland-BSCs. The presence of EPS allowed matric potential (Ψm) to remain unchanged down to 20% water content, whereas, without EPS, Ψm started decreasing at 80% water content. The EPS matrix improved the water retaining capacity of soil, suggesting that BSCs would delay onset of restrictive matric potential values due to its larger water holding capacity.

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