Biological soil crust development and its topsoil properties in the process of dune stabilization, Inner Mongolia, China |
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| Authors: | Yirui Guo Halin Zhao Xiaoan Zuo Sam Drake Xueyong Zhao |
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| Institution: | (1) Naiman Desertification Research Station, Cold and Arid Regions of Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, People’s Republic of China;(2) Arizona Remote Sensing Center, Office of Arid Lands Studies, University of Arizona, 1955 E. 6th Street, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study was undertaken at Horqin Sand Land, Inner Mongolia, Northern China. Field samples of biological soil crusts (BSCs)
and underlying topsoil (0–5 cm under BSC) were taken in areas of different dune stabilization stages, and their physicochemical
properties were analyzed, including particle size distribution, bulk density, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, electrical
conductivity (EC), pH, and CaCO3 content. The results revealed that semi-mobile dunes, semi-fixed dunes and fixed dunes had developed a physical crust, algae
crust and moss crust, respectively. The thickness, hardness, water content, fine fraction and nutrient contents of BSCs were
gradually increasing along the dune stabilization gradient. Meanwhile, BSC establishment and development enhanced the bulk
density, silt and clay content, and nutrients of the topsoil under it, in an increasing tend from semi-mobile dune to fixed
dune. Organic matter concentrations and other nutrients in the 0–5 cm topsoil layer under BSCs were significantly higher compared
to unconsolidated soil (control). Moreover, there were strong significant positive correlations between topsoil and BSCs’
organic matter, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, CaCO3, and <0.05 mm particle content, suggesting that BSCs have an influence on some of the properties of the underlying topsoil. |
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| Keywords: | Biological soil crust Dune stabilization The Horqin Sand Land Topsoil |
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