Potential role of cryptobiotic soil crusts in semiarid rangelands

Authors

Jayne Belnap

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.

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