Coexistence patterns of biocrusts and vascular plants in drylands from the perspective of ecohydrology

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00147

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (3): 121-130.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00147

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Coexistence patterns of biocrusts and vascular plants in drylands from the perspective of ecohydrology

Yali Ma(), Li Ma, Liping Yang, Siqing Wang, Changming Zhao, Ning Chen()

State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems / Yuzhong Mountain Ecosystem Observation and Research Station，Lanzhou University，Lanzhou 730000，China

Received:2025-03-16 Revised:2025-05-03 Online:2025-05-20 Published:2025-06-30
Contact: Ning Chen

Abstract

Abstract:

Vascular plants occupy a dominant position in dryland ecosystems. However， another unique biological component of dryland ecosystems， biocrusts， which play a key role in providing a variety of ecological functions and services and are regarded as the self-organizing principle of dryland ecosystems， has received relatively little attention. Previous studies have tended to examine the roles and impacts of vascular plants or biocrusts in dryland ecosystems separately， thereby neglecting the issue of coexistence and failing to fully understand the mechanisms behind their coexistence. Given that water is a key limiting factor in dryland ecosystems， studying the impact of ecohydrological processes on the coexistence of biocrusts and vascular plants is crucial. In this paper， we first reviewed the coexistence patterns of biocrusts and vascular plants in dryland ecosystems. Then， we explored the effects of major ecohydrological processes （e.g.， precipitation， runoff， and infiltration） on these coexistence patterns. Finally， we clarified the ecohydrological mechanisms behind them， providing theoretical support for vegetation restoration and desertification control in drylands.

Key words: biocrusts, coexistence patterns, precipitation, soil moisture, drylands

CLC Number:

Q945

Yali Ma, Li Ma, Liping Yang, Siqing Wang, Changming Zhao, Ning Chen. Coexistence patterns of biocrusts and vascular plants in drylands from the perspective of ecohydrology[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(3): 121-130.

Figures/Tables 3

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Coexistence patterns of biocrusts and vascular plants in drylands from the perspective of ecohydrology

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