Microgeomorphology related soil characteristics determine the heterogeneity of biological soil crust communities

Authors

  • Mahvan Hassanzadeh Bashtian Department of Desert and Arid Zones Management, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Author
  • Adel Sepehr Department of Desert and Arid Zones Management, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Author
  • Masoumeh Bahreini Department of Biology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Author
  • Mohammad Farzam Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4461/GFDQ.2019.42.8

Keywords:

Alluvial fan, Biological Soil Crusts (BSCs), Microgeomorphology, Soil heterogeneity

Abstract

We examined how biological soil crust (BSC) communities are affected by micro-geomorphology and soil characteristics in an arid ecosystem in northeastern Iran. Sampling was carried out systematically in the summer of 2016 along a geomorphic gradient within an alluvial fan by using micro-scale plots (0.25 m2) and soil samples from the top soil layer (0-5 cm). According to the geomorphologic features and particle size distribution, the landform surfaces were divided into three units across the topographic gradient. From top downstream: Unit 1 involved coarse particles, Unit 2 included medium, and unit 3 comprised fine deposits., A total of 16 samples were taken for each unit (48 samples in total) along the alluvial fan from the apex to the base sector. The results indicated that micro-geomorphic and soil characteristics play an important role in the development of biological soil crust (BSC) micro-habitats. Decreasing content of calcium carbonate, pH, and soil salinity versus increasing soil moisture and clay content along the gradient of the alluvial fan showed a relevant correlation with increased BSCs coverage. BSCs increased along the landform gradient, although their diversity tended to decrease; in that way complex communities in the apex (Unit 1) involved cyanobacteria, lichen, mosses, and algae, while the dominant BSCs in the base (Unit 3) included moss species.

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Published

2024-05-28

Issue

Section

Research and review papers

How to Cite

Hassanzadeh Bashtian, M., Sepehr, A., Bahreini, M., & Farzam, M. (2024). Microgeomorphology related soil characteristics determine the heterogeneity of biological soil crust communities. Geografia Fisica E Dinamica Quaternaria, 42(1), 99-112. https://doi.org/10.4461/GFDQ.2019.42.8

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