Microstructure and hydraulic properties of biological soil crusts on sand dunes: a comparison between arid and temperate climates

Abstract. We studied the relationships between crust microstructure, infiltration and water holding capacity under arid and temperate conditions (Factor A: Climate) on biological soil crusts (BSCs) sampled along a~catena on mobile sand dunes (Factor B: Catena). The arid study site was located near Nizzana, Israel (precipitation: 86 mm a−1, PET: ~2500 mm a−1) and the temperate site near Lieberose, Germany (precipitation: 569 mm a−1, PET: ~780 mm a−1). BSCs were sampled near the dune crest, at the centre of the dune slope and at the dune base at each site. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize BSC morphology and microstructure. Infiltration was determined using microinfiltrometry under controlled moisture conditions in the lab. Water holding capacities were determined after water saturation of the dry BSCs. Wettability of the crusts was characterized using a "repellency index", which was calculated from water and ethanol sorptivities. Irrespective of the climate, an accumulation of fine particles in the BSCs was found, increasing along the catena from dune crest to dune base. Texture was finer and water holding capacities of the underlying substrate were higher at the arid site, whereas surface wettability was reduced at the temperate site. At both sites, BSCs caused extra water holding capacity compared to the substrate. Infiltration rates decreased along the catena and were generally lower at the dune slope and base of the arid site. A mechanism of crust stabilization is proposed where BSCs benefit from increased texture and biomass mediated water supply, and where the water supply to higher plants was limited due to alteration of physico-chemical surface properties under temperate conditions.

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Infiltration and water retention of biological soil crusts on reclaimed soils of former open-cast lignite mining sites in Brandenburg, north-east Germany

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics ◽

10.1515/johh-2016-0009 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Stella Gypser ◽

Maik Veste ◽

Thomas Fischer ◽

Philipp Lange

Keyword(s):

Green Algae ◽

Water Retention ◽

Biological Soil Crusts ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Temperate Climate ◽

Lignite Mining ◽

Mining Sites ◽

Soil Crusts ◽

Water Holding ◽

Open Cast

AbstractInvestigations were done on two former open-cast lignite mining sites under reclamation, an artificial sand dune in Welzow Süd, and a forest plantation in Schlabendorf Süd (Brandenburg, Germany). The aim was to associate the topsoil hydrological characteristics of green algae dominated as well as moss and soil lichen dominated biological soil crusts during crustal succession with their water retention and the repellency index on sandy soils under temperate climate and different reliefs.The investigation of the repellency index showed on the one hand an increase due to the cross-linking of sand particles by green algae which resulted in clogging of pores. On the other hand, the occurrence of moss plants led to a decrease of the repellency index due to absorption caused by bryophytes. The determination of the water retention curves showed an increase of the water holding capacity, especially in conjunction with the growth of green algae layer. The pore-related van Genuchten parameter indicate a clay-like behaviour of the developed soil crusts. Because of the inhomogeneous distribution of lichens and mosses as well as the varying thickness of green algae layers, the water retention differed between the study sites and between samples of similar developmental stages. However, similar tendencies of water retention and water repellency related to the soil crust formation were observed.Biological soil crusts should be considered after disturbances in the context of reclamation measures, because the initial development of green algae biocrusts lead to an increasing repellency index, while the occurrence of mosses and a gain in organic matter enhance the water holding capacity. Thus, the succession of biocrusts and their small-scale succession promote the development of soil and ecosystem.

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Discussion on wind factor influencing the distribution of biological soil crusts on surface of sand dunes

Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1226.2013.00739 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 739

Author(s):

Wu YongSheng ◽

Erdun Hasi ◽

Yin RuiPing ◽

Zhang Xin ◽

Ren Jie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sand Dunes ◽

Biological Soil Crusts ◽

Soil Crusts

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Algae of biological soil crusts from sand dunes of the Danube Delta biosphere reserve (Odesa Region, Ukraine)

Algologia ◽

10.15407/alg31.01.025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 25-62

Author(s):

T.I. Mikhailyuk ◽

◽

O.M. Vinogradova ◽

K. Glaser ◽

N. Rybalka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Sand Dunes ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Biological Soil Crusts ◽

Danube Delta ◽

Climate Type ◽

Soil Crusts ◽

Comparison Of The Results ◽

Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

The species composition of algae from biological soil crusts (biocrusts) on the surface of sand dunes (Black Sea coast, Primorske, Izmail District, Odesa Region, Ukraine) was investigated. Samples were collected from three coastal localities: Katranivska Spit, Zhebryianska Bay and Zhebryianska Ridge. The latter two localities are in the territory of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The samples were investigated by direct microscopy, followed by a culture approach. 60 species from Chlorophyta (32), Cyanobacteria (16), Streptophyta (7) and Ochrophyta (5) were identified. Representatives of the cyanobacterial genera Microcoleus Desmazières ex Gomont, Coleofasciculus M.Siegesmund, J.R.Johansen & T.Friedl, Nostoc Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, Hassallia Berkeley ex Bornet & Flahault, and streptophytes from the genus Klebsormidium P.C.Silva, Mattox & W.H.Blackwell dominated in the studied biocrusts. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S/18S rRNA as well as 16S-23S ITS/ITS-1,2 regions were undertaken for some strains of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae. As a result, species identification and their position in respective phylogeny was refined, as well as aiding the discovery of some interesting and rare species. New genera and species were described (Streptosarcina arenaria Mikhailyuk & Lukešová and Tetradesmus arenicola Mikhailyuk & P.Tsarenko); with two genera (Nodosilinea R.B.Perkerson & D.A.Casamatta and Pleurastrosarcina H.J.Sluiman & P.C.J.Blommers) and four species reported for the first time for the flora of Ukraine (Nodosilinea epilithica Perkerson & Casamatta, Pseudomuriella aurantiaca (W.Vischer) N.Hanagata, Pleurochloris meiringensis Vischer, Pleurastrosarcina terriformae Darienko, W.J.Kang, Orzechowski & Pröschold). Comparison of the results from this study with similar investigations at Cape Kazantip (Sea of Azov, Ukraine) and at two islands of the Baltic Sea (Rügen, Usedom, Germany) revealed that sand composition and texture, as well as climate type of the respective region, are the main factors determining species composition of algae and cyanobacteria in biocrusts of maritime dunes.

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Emission of nitrous acid from soil and biological soil crusts represents an important source of HONO in the remote atmosphere in Cyprus

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-18-799-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 799-813 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Hannah Meusel ◽

Alexandra Tamm ◽

Uwe Kuhn ◽

Dianming Wu ◽

Anna Lena Leifke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Acid ◽

Biological Soil Crust ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Field Studies ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Biological Soil Crusts ◽

Soil Crusts ◽

Wide Range ◽

Mediterranean Island ◽

Water Holding

Abstract. Soil and biological soil crusts can emit nitrous acid (HONO) and nitric oxide (NO). The terrestrial ground surface in arid and semiarid regions is anticipated to play an important role in the local atmospheric HONO budget, deemed to represent one of the unaccounted-for HONO sources frequently observed in field studies. In this study HONO and NO emissions from a representative variety of soil and biological soil crust samples from the Mediterranean island Cyprus were investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. A wide range of fluxes was observed, ranging from 0.6 to 264 ng m−2 s−1 HONO-N at optimal soil water content (20–30 % of water holding capacity, WHC). Maximum NO-N fluxes at this WHC were lower (0.8–121 ng m−2 s−1). The highest emissions of both reactive nitrogen species were found from bare soil, followed by light and dark cyanobacteria-dominated biological soil crusts (biocrusts), correlating well with the sample nutrient levels (nitrite and nitrate). Extrapolations of lab-based HONO emission studies agree well with the unaccounted-for HONO source derived previously for the extensive CYPHEX field campaign, i.e., emissions from soil and biocrusts may essentially close the Cyprus HONO budget.

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Emission of nitrous acid from soil and biological soil crusts represents a dominant source of HONO in the remote atmosphere in Cyprus

10.5194/acp-2017-356 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Hannah Meusel ◽

Alexandra Tamm ◽

Uwe Kuhn ◽

Dianming Wu ◽

Anna Lena Leifke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Acid ◽

Biological Soil Crust ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Field Studies ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Biological Soil Crusts ◽

Soil Crusts ◽

Wide Range ◽

Mediterranean Island ◽

Water Holding

Abstract. Soil and biological soil crusts can emit nitrous acid (HONO) and nitric oxide (NO). The terrestrial ground surface in arid and semi-arid regions is anticipated to play an important role in the local atmospheric HONO budget, deemed to represent one of the unaccounted HONO sources frequently observed in field studies. In this study HONO and NO emissions from a representative variety of soil and biological soil crust samples from the Mediterranean island Cyprus were investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. A wide range of fluxes was observed, ranging from 0.6 to 264 ng m−2 s−1 HONO-N at optimal soil water content (20–30 % of water holding capacity, WHC). Maximum NO-N at this WHC fluxes were lower (0.8–121 ng m−2 s−1). Highest emissions of both reactive nitrogen species were found from bare soil, followed by light and dark cyanobacteria-dominated biological soil crusts (biocrusts), correlating well with the sample nutrient levels (nitrite and nitrate). Extrapolations of lab-based HONO emission studies agree well with the unaccounted HONO source derived previously for the extensive CYPHEX field campaign, i.e., emissions from soil and biocrusts may essentially close the Cyprus HONO budget.

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Algae of Biological Soil Crusts from Sand Dunes of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Odesa Region, Ukraine)

International Journal on Algae ◽

10.1615/interjalgae.v23.i1.20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 7-42

Author(s):

T. I. Mikhailyuk ◽

O. M. Vinogradova ◽

K. Glaser ◽

N. A. Rybalka ◽

E. M. Demchenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sand Dunes ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Biological Soil Crusts ◽

Danube Delta ◽

Soil Crusts ◽

Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

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Biological soil crusts in continental Antarctica: Garwood Valley, southern Victoria Land, and Diamond Hill, Darwin Mountains region

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102013000291 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 115-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Claudia Colesie ◽

Maxime Gommeaux ◽

T.G. Allan Green ◽

Burkhard Büdel

Keyword(s):

Soil Stabilization ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Biological Soil Crusts ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Dry Valleys ◽

Cold Desert ◽

Chlorophyll Contents ◽

Green Algal ◽

Soil Crusts ◽

Continental Antarctica

AbstractBiological soil crusts are associations of lichens, mosses, algae, cyanobacteria, microfungi and bacteria in different proportions forming a thin veneer within the top centimetres of soil surfaces. They occur in all biomes, but particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, even in the most extreme climates. They carry out crucial ecosystem functions, such as soil stabilization, influencing water and nutrient cycles, and contribute to the formation of microniches for heterotrophic life. In continental Antarctica especially, these roles are essential because no higher plants provide such ecosystem services. We provide a detailed description of biological soil crusts from Garwood Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys region (78°S) and Diamond Hill (80°S) in the Darwin Mountains region. The coverage was low at 3.3% and 0.8% of the soil surface. At Garwood Valley the crusts were composed of green algal lichens, cyanobacteria, several species of green algae and the mossHennediella heimii(Hedw.) R.H. Zander. Diamond Hill crusts appear to be unique in not having any species of cyanobacteria. Major parts are embedded in the soil, and their thickness correlates with higher chlorophyll contents, higher soil organic carbon and nitrogen, which are fundamental components of this species poor cold desert zone.

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