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| Review on the influences of biological soil crusts on soil and vegetation in desertified areas |
| Liu Lixia,Zhang Yuqing,Wu Bin |
College of Soil and Water Conservation,Beijing Forestry University,Key Lab.of Soil and Water Conservation,and Desertification Combating,Ministry of
Education,100083,Beijing,China |
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Abstract Biological soil crusts are important measures for controlling erosion in desertified areas.This paper reviews the advances research on the influences of biological soil crusts on physicochemical properties of the soil and vegetation in desertified areas.The influences of biological soil crusts on the underneath soil mainly include soil particle composition,soil salinity,soil nutrients and so on.Biological soil crusts enhanced clay content,accumulated nutrients and salinity in the soil,which are important for the development of the soil.The increase of clay content of soil crusts and underneath soil can increase hygroscopicity and water holding capacity of the soil,but its influences on rainfall infiltration are still not very clear so for.There are some different viewpoints on the development process of soil crusts,the relationship between biological soil crusts and the colonization and propagation of vascular plants.The study of biological soil crusts is still an important research field for soil conservation. Its influence on soil and vegetation are still under debate.The further research of formation mechanism,biological components,succession rules and impact on successive habited plants are required.
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Received: 28 March 2007
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