Potential role of cryptobiotic soil crusts in semiarid rangelands
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Proceedings: Symposium on Ecology, Management, and Restoration of Intermountain Annual Rangelands
First Page
179
Publisher
Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station
Last Page
185
Publication Date
1994
Abstract
The role of cryptobiotic soil crusts in the functioning of semiarid and arid ecosystems is discussed. These roles include microstructuring of soils in cold-desert ecosystems, influencing soil nutrient levels, and influencing the nutrient status, germination, and establishment of vascular plants in crusted areas when compared to uncrusted areas. For these reasons, re-establishment of these crusts should be an important part of reclamation efforts. Natural recovery rates and the effectiveness of inoculation efforts are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Belnap, J., 1994, Potential role of cryptobiotic soil crusts in semiarid rangelands, in Monsen, S. B., and Kitchen, S. G., eds., Proceedings: Symposium on Ecology, Management, and Restoration of Intermountain Annual Rangelands, May 18-22, 1992, Boise, Idaho, General Technical Report No. INT-GTR-313: Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, p. 179-185.
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