Biological Soil Crusts: An Organizing Principle in Drylands (Ecological Studies Book 226)

Annotation This volume summarizes our current understanding of biological soil crusts (biocrusts), which are omnipresent in dryland regions. Since they cover the soil surface, they influence, or even control, all surface exchange processes. Being one of the oldest terrestrial communities, biocrusts comprise a high diversity of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and bryophytes together with uncounted bacteria, and fungi. The authors show that biocrusts are an integral part of dryland ecosystems, stabilizing soils, influencing plant germination and growth, and playing a key role in carbon, nitrogen and water cycling. Initial attempts have been made to use biocrusts as models in ecological theory. On the other hand, biocrusts are endangered by local disruptions and global change, highlighting the need for enhanced recovery methods. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the fascinating field of biocrust research, making it indispensable not only for scientists in this area, but also for land managers, policy makers, and anyone interested in the environment Front Matter....Pages i-ix Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Biological Soil Crusts as an Organizing Principle in Drylands....Pages 3-13 How Biological Soil Crusts Became Recognized as a Functional Unit: A Selective History....Pages 15-33 Front Matter....Pages 35-35 Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Precambrian....Pages 37-54 Cyanobacteria and Algae of Biological Soil Crusts....Pages 55-80 Bacteria and Non-lichenized Fungi Within Biological Soil Crusts....Pages 81-100 Bryophytes Within Biological Soil Crusts....Pages 101-120 Structure, Composition, and Function of Biocrust Lichen Communities....Pages 121-138 Microfauna Within Biological Soil Crusts....Pages 139-157 Composition and Macrostructure of Biological Soil Crusts....Pages 159-172 Controls on Distribution Patterns of Biological Soil Crusts at Micro- to Global Scales....Pages 173-197 Hypolithic Communities....Pages 199-213 Remote Sensing of Biological Soil Crusts at Different Scales....Pages 215-234 Front Matter....Pages 235-235 Microstructure and Weathering Processes Within Biological Soil Crusts....Pages 237-255 Patterns and Controls on Nitrogen Cycling of Biological Soil Crusts....Pages 257-285 Carbon Budgets of Biological Soil Crusts at Micro-, Meso-, and Global Scales....Pages 287-304 Biological Soil Crusts as Soil Stabilizers....Pages 305-320 The Role of Biocrusts in Arid Land Hydrology....Pages 321-346 Physiology of Photosynthetic Organisms Within Biological Soil Crusts: Their Adaptation, Flexibility, and Plasticity....Pages 347-381 Front Matter....Pages 383-383 Interactions of Biological Soil Crusts with Vascular Plants....Pages 385-406 Biological Soil Crusts as a Model System in Ecology....Pages 407-425 Front Matter....Pages 427-427 Effects of Local-Scale Disturbance on Biocrusts....Pages 429-449 Biocrusts in the Context of Global Change....Pages 451-476 Front Matter....Pages 477-477 Natural Recovery of Biological Soil Crusts After Disturbance....Pages 479-498 Enhanced Recovery of Biological Soil Crusts After Disturbance....Pages 499-523 Front Matter....Pages 525-525 Synthesis on Biological Soil Crust Research....Pages 527-534 Back Matter....Pages 535-549