TY - JOUR

T1 - What stabilizes biological soil crusts in the Negev Desert?

AU - Felde, Vincent John Martin Noah Linus

AU - Chamizo, Sonia

AU - Felix-Henningsen, Peter

AU - Drahorad, Sylvie Laureen

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017, Springer International Publishing AG.

PY - 2018/8/1

Y1 - 2018/8/1

N2 - Aims: Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are widespread in many drylands, where plant growth is limited due to water scarcity. One of their most important functions is the stabilization of the topsoil, particularly in regions with sandy soils prone to desertification. Since the mechanisms playing a role in soil stabilization are poorly understood, this study aims to shed light on the connection between crust stability and different cementing agents. Methods: We measured the penetration resistance and the concentrations of different cementing agents of biocrusts in the Israeli Negev Desert. Structural equation modelling was performed to examine the direct and indirect effects of the variables analyzed and identify variables that are best able to explain the observed patterns of penetration resistance. Results: All observed variables showed a high variability within and between sites. Structural equation modelling revealed that the main parameters explaining penetration resistance are the content of fines and the electrical conductivity, while carbonates and organic carbon only have an indirect effect. Conclusions: Our results suggest that adding silt and clay to (natural or induced) biocrusts is very likely to produce stronger, more stable crusts, which will be more effective in combating desertification and improve their ability to survive trampling by livestock.

AB - Aims: Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are widespread in many drylands, where plant growth is limited due to water scarcity. One of their most important functions is the stabilization of the topsoil, particularly in regions with sandy soils prone to desertification. Since the mechanisms playing a role in soil stabilization are poorly understood, this study aims to shed light on the connection between crust stability and different cementing agents. Methods: We measured the penetration resistance and the concentrations of different cementing agents of biocrusts in the Israeli Negev Desert. Structural equation modelling was performed to examine the direct and indirect effects of the variables analyzed and identify variables that are best able to explain the observed patterns of penetration resistance. Results: All observed variables showed a high variability within and between sites. Structural equation modelling revealed that the main parameters explaining penetration resistance are the content of fines and the electrical conductivity, while carbonates and organic carbon only have an indirect effect. Conclusions: Our results suggest that adding silt and clay to (natural or induced) biocrusts is very likely to produce stronger, more stable crusts, which will be more effective in combating desertification and improve their ability to survive trampling by livestock.

KW - Biocrust

KW - Desertification

KW - Ecosystem restoration

KW - Grazing potential

KW - Penetration resistance

KW - Structural equation modelling

KW - Surface stability

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034650769&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s11104-017-3459-7

DO - 10.1007/s11104-017-3459-7

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85034650769

VL - 429

SP - 9

EP - 18

JO - Plant and soil

JF - Plant and soil

SN - 0032-079X

IS - 1-2

ER -