Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the role of biocrust sequences on the soil characteristics of the Incheh Borun region of Golestan province (Iran). In the study area, biocrusts and soil under their surface were sampled after identifying the sequences of biocrusts (moss, lichen, and cyanobacteria). To evaluate the development and successional stages, physicochemical and biological characteristics of biocrusts and the soil below their surface (In the depths 0–2, 2–4, 4–8, 8–10, 10–25, and 25–50 cm) were measured. The results showed that the presence of biocrusts compared to the physical crust in the surface parts (0–2 cm depth) improved the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. From the first sequence (physical crust) to the end of the sequence (moss biocrust), the protein content, various components of organic carbon (OC), microbial respiration, total chlorophyll and polysaccharide of the biocrust and the soil below their surface increased. These parameters decreased with increasing soil depth. The highest amount of EC was in the soil below the surface of the physical crust, whereas the lowest value was related to the biocrust of the moss. As soil depth increases, biocrusts increase the soil permeability, allowing solutes to penetrate the subsurface parts and increase soil salinity. Due to the lack of biological cover on the surface of physical crusts, salts return to the soil surface through evaporation during the hot season and increase salinity below the crust surface.
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Funding
The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (9713434101). This study was funded by the Iranian National Science Foundation (INSF) through project No. 99006758.
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Highlights
• The effect of various biocrust sequences on soil biophysiological traits was studied.
• Soil biocrusts play an important role in soil fixation.
• Soil biocrusts facilitate organic carbon entry into the soils of arid regions.
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Atashpaz, B., Khormali, F., Malekzadeh, E. et al. Evaluating the Effect of Different Sequences of Biological Crusts on Loess Derived Soil Biophysiological Properties in the Semi-arid Regions of Northern Iran. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 23, 6777–6787 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01535-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01535-6