Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are found in all dryland regions of the world, including the polar regions. They are also known to occur in the southern African region. Although there were a number of case studies on BSCs from that region, we did not know if they are a normal part of the vegetation cover or just a phenomenon that occasionally occurs here and there. In order to investigate diversity, distribution patterns, and the driving factors of both, we followed a random sampling system of observatories along a transect, stretching from the Namibian-Angolan border down south to the Cape Peninsula, covering seven different major biomes. Biological soil crusts were found to occur in six out of seven biomes. Despite the fact that soil-dwelling algae occurred in the Fynbos biome, crust formation was not observed for hitherto unknown reasons. Seven BSC types were distinguished on the basis of morphology and taxonomic composition: three of them were cyanobacteria-dominated, one with additional chlorolichens, two with bryophytes, one hypolithic type restricted to quartz gravel pavements, and the unique lichen fields of the Namib Desert. Besides 29 green algal species in 21 genera, one heterokont alga, 12 cyanolichens, 14 chlorolichens, two genera of liverworts, and three genera of mosses, these crusts are positioned among the most diverse BSCs worldwide mainly because of the unusual high cyanobacterial species richness comprising 58 species in 21 genera. They contribute considerably to the biodiversity of arid and semi-arid bioregions. Taxonomic diversity of cyanobacteria was significantly higher in the winter rain zone than in the summer rain zone (54 versus 32 species). The soil photosynthetic biomass (chlorophylla/m2), the carbon content of the soil and the number of BSC types were significantly higher in the winter rain zone (U27, 29=215.0, p=0.004 [chla]; U21, 21=135.0, p=0.031 [C]; U27, 29=261.5, p=0.028 [BSC types]; excluding the fog-dominated Namib biome). The winter rain zone is characterized by a lower precipitation amount, but a higher rain frequency with the number of rainy days more evenly distributed over the year. The dry period is significantly shorter per year in the winter rain zone (U8, 9=5.0, p=0.003). We conclude that rain frequency and duration of dry periods rather than the precipitation amount is the main factor for BSC growth and succession. Nitrogen content of the soils along the transect was generally very low and correlated with soil carbon content. There was a weak trend that an increasing proportion of silt and clay (<0.63 mm) in the soil is associated with higher values of BSC chlorophyll content (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.314, p=0.237). Furthermore, we found a significant positive correlation between silt and clay and the number of BSC types (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.519, p=0.039), suggesting that fine grain-size promotes BSC succession and their biomass content. Lichens and bryophytes occurred in BSCs with lower disturbance frequencies (e.g. trampling) only. Crust thic...

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Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are communities of cryptogamic organisms, occurring in arid and semiarid regions all over the world. Based on both morphological identification and genetic analyses, we established a first cyanobacterial inventory using the biphasic approach for BSCs within two major biomes of southern Africa. The samples were collected at two different sites in the Succulent Karoo and one in the Nama Karoo. After cultivation and morphological identification, the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from the cyanobacterial cultures. From the soil samples, the DNA was extracted, and the 16S rRNA gene sequenced. All the sequences of the clone libraries from soil and cultures were compared with those of the public databases. Forty-five different species were morphologically identified in the samples of the Succulent Karoo (observatories of Soebatsfontein and Goedehoop). Based on the genetic analyses, 60 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified for the Succulent Karoo and 43 for the Nama Karoo (based on 95% sequence similarity). The cloned sequences corresponded well with the morphologically described taxa in cultures and sequences in the public databases. Besides known species of typical crust-forming cyanobacterial genera (Microcoleus, Phormidium, Tolypothrix and Scytonema), we found sequences of so far undescribed species of the genera Leptolyngbya, Pseudanabaena, Phormidium, Oscillatoria, Schizothrix and Microcoleus. Most OTUs were restricted to distinct sites. Grazed soils showed lower taxa numbers than undisturbed soils, implying the presence of early successional crust types and reduced soil surface protection. Our combined approach of morphological identification and genetic analyses allowed both a taxa inventory and the analysis of species occurring under specific habitat conditions.

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Introduction: Within the Knersvlakte, cyanobacteria occur hypolithically underneath translucent quartz stones in areas with quartz pavement and, outside pavement areas, they are soil-inhabiting within the uppermost millimeters of the soil. Both habitats were characterized in terms of biomass and growth patterns of cyanobacteria. Long-term microclimatic conditions were determined. Methods: Biomass of organisms within both habitats was determined by means of chlorophyll analyses. A transect approach was used to determine the frequency of hypolithic growth depending on the size, weight, and embedding depth of the quartz pebbles. Organisms were identified by means of microscopic analyses of the samples. Microclimatic conditions within both habitats, i.e., temperature, light intensity, air humidity, and soil moisture, were recorded bi-hourly from September 23, 2004 through September 7, 2006. Results: The biomass of hypolithic and soil-inhabiting crusts was almost identical, 88 vs. 86 mg Chl a /m 2 and 136 vs. 134 mg Chl a+b /m 2. Within the quartz fields, 46.8% of the surface area was covered by quartz stones with 69% of translucent quartz stones colonized by hypolithic cyanobacteria and algae. Colonized quartz stones were significantly thicker, heavier, and more deeply embedded in the soil than uncolonized ones. Whereas the annual mean temperature on top of quartz stones was nearly identical to that underneath thin and thick quartz stones, daily temperature amplitudes were largest on the stone surface (up to 48.1K), compared to the hypolithic habitats (up to 39.4K). Light intensity in the hypolithic habitat was between 15 and 30% of the ambient light intensity during daytime. Water condensation in the absence of rain occurred during 50% of the nights on the quartz stone surface, but only during 34% of the nights on the soil surface during winter months within 1 year. Soil moisture beneath quartz layers was greater and less variable than beneath soil-inhabiting crusts. Conclusions: In spite of the large differences in the microclimatic conditions, both habitats seem to be similarly well suited for cyanobacterial growth, resulting in equal biomass values but some differences in taxonomic composition.