Soil surface disturbances in cold deserts: Effects on nitrogenase activity incyanobacterial-lichen soil crusts

Jayne Belnap

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Biology and Fertility of Soils

Volume

23

Issue

4

First Page

362

Publisher

Springer-Verlag

Last Page

367

Publication Date

1996

Abstract

Cyanobacterial-lichen soil crusts can be a dominant source of nitrogen for cold-desert ecosystems. Effects of surface disturbance from footprints, bike and vehicle tracks on the nitrogenase activity in these crusts was investigated. Surface disturbances reduced nitrogenase activity by 30–100%. Crusts dominated by the cyanobacterium Microcoleus vaginatus on sandy soils were the most susceptible to disruption; crusts on gypsiferous soils were the least susceptible. Crusts where the soil lichen Collema tenax was present showed less immediate effects; however, nitrogenase activity still declined over time. Levels of nitrogenase activity reduction were affected by the degree of soil disruption and whether sites were dominated by cyanobacteria with or without heterocysts. Consequently, anthropogenic surface disturbances may have serious implications for nitrogen budgets in these ecosystems.

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