Moss patch size as a factor profoundly influencing soil nutrient characteristics and multifunctionality of temperate desert in Central Asia

Abstract

Soil nutrients in desert ecosystems are influenced by various factors, and the presence of moss crust cover plays a significant role in determining the nutritional content of the surface soil. Moss crusts are distributed as patches within desert ecosystems, creating micro-ecosystems. However, the distribution pattern of soil nutrients under moss crust cover and the impact of patch size on soil nutrient content remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the patch size of mosses in field sites within the Gurbantünggüt Desert and investigated the content of total carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), organic carbon (OC), ammonium (NH4+-N), nitrate (NO3–-N), and available phosphorus (AP) in both surface soil and sub surface soil. We employed linear and structural equation models to examine the regulatory effect of moss crust patch size on soil nutrient content. Our findings revealed that the C and N contents were significantly higher in the surface soil compared to the sub surface soil, while the AP content was significantly higher in the sub surface soil than in the surface soil. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between the N content and patch area of the topsoil in 83% of the sample sites. Climate, soil properties, and moss patch size collectively influenced the multifunctionality of both surface soil and sub surface soil. Climatic factors exerted a greater impact on the surface soil, while soil properties and moss patch size had a stronger influence on the sub surface soil. These findings emphasize the variability in nutrient characteristics between the surface and sub surface soils of biocrusts, highlighting the influence of crust patch size on the nutrient characteristics and functions of desert soils. These insights have practical implications for land management and conservation strategies in arid regions, providing valuable knowledge for sustainable resource utilization and environmental preservation.