Desert Soils

Fuller, W. H.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-135902-7.50009-1

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…This crust may later be colonized by biological elements to form a microbiotic crust (Scott 1982). Alternatively, a rain-impacted soil crust (Fuller 1974) bonded by silicon or carbonate may become stabilized by a layer of filamentous blue-green algae.…”

Section: Microbiota and Ecosystem Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiotic soil crusts - a review of their roles in soil and ecological processes in the rangelands of Australia

Eldridge¹,

Greene²

1994

Soil Res.

504

307

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Microbiotic crusts are assemblages of non-vascular plants (mosses, liverworts, algae, lichens, fungi, bacteria and cyanobacteria) which form intimate associations with surface soils. They play a major role in infiltration processes through changes to soil physico-chemical properties, and through their influence on soil surface roughness. Whilst some research suggests that they may restrict infiltration, Australian experience is that they are generally associated with enhanced infiltration. Unlike physical soil crusts, microbiotic crusts stabilize the soil against water and wind erosion, increasing landscape stability, particularly in areas of low vascular plant cover. Microbiotic crusts are thus useful indicators of soil surface condition, and cyanobacteria in the crusts fix nitrogen which may be utilized by developing vascular plant seedlings. Little is known, however, about how they interact with vascular plants and soil invertebrates. Their role in rangeland ecosystems has received renewed attention over the past few years with an increasing interest in ecologically sustainable development of arid and semi-arid grazing systems.In this review we discuss the characteristics and distribution of microbiotic crusts in the rangelands of Australia, their roles in soil and eco!ogical processes and the impacts of fire and grazing. Finally we propose a new system for classifying crusts into functional groups and identify areas requiring further investigation.

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Section: Microbiota and Ecosystem Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiotic soil crusts - a review of their roles in soil and ecological processes in the rangelands of Australia

Eldridge¹,

Greene²

1994

Soil Res.

504

307

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“…The present study can only be considered a first step toward the elucidation of organic compounds in semiarid soils. Fuller (1974) observed from the literature that the relatively low humus content of semiarid soils is due chiefly to the activity of a highly biogenic soil process, and not, as previously supposed, to a low amount of vegetative remains entering the soil. The role of individual compounds within the soil system may become quite significant under these conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Organic Solvent-Soluble Organic Matter from Soils Underlying Native Range and Crested Wheatgrass in Southeastern Alberta, Canada

Dormaar¹,

Johnston²,

Smoliak³

1980

Journal of Range Management

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Gas chromatographic patterns of organic solvent-soluble constituents present in alkaline hydrolysates of organic matter from soils underlying native range and crested wheatgrass were qualitatively, but not quantitatively similar. The peak at 222°C or with a retention time of about 31 min was identified as bis(2ethylhexyl) phthalate. Larger quantities of the extracted compounds were obtained from the native range than from the crested wheatgrass soils. Fifty years was not long enough for organic matter of soil cultivated for only 5 years to regain its original quantitative chemical composition under the prevailing climatic conditions.

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“…Soil biological characteristics are severely affected by the often prevalent calcic (CaCOrenriched "petrocalcic" or "caliche"), gypsic, and duripan (silicic) horizons, which form hard, cemented layers, mostly impenetrable by plant roots and restrictive to water movement. Excellent reviews of desert soils have been published by Fuller (1974) and Dregne (1976). The latter publication contains informative listings of comparative international desert-soil classification nomenclature.…”

Section: Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Microbial Ecology

1984

Advances in Microbial Ecology

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Desert Soils

Cited by 8 publications

References 43 publications

Microbiotic soil crusts - a review of their roles in soil and ecological processes in the rangelands of Australia

Microbiotic soil crusts - a review of their roles in soil and ecological processes in the rangelands of Australia

Organic Solvent-Soluble Organic Matter from Soils Underlying Native Range and Crested Wheatgrass in Southeastern Alberta, Canada

Advances in Microbial Ecology

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