Summary
Drylands cover approximately 40% of the global terrestrial area. These regions face multiple challenges, including water scarcity, soil erosion, and declining biodiversity, which significantly undermine soil fertility and ecosystem stability. Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are widely recognized as key components in arid and semi-arid regions. Due to their unique structure and functions, biocrusts can significantly improve soil structure, enhance soil nutrient accumulation and cycling, and mitigate soil erosion, thereby providing critical support for ecological restoration and sustainable development. This study investigated variations in soil properties, bacterial and fungal community structures, and the relationships between soil properties and microbial communities in biocrusts under
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.