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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2021, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1): 164-173.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2020.00093

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The theory and practices of biological soil crust rehabilitation

Xiaobing Zhou1(), Bingchang Zhang2, Yuanming Zhang1()   

  1. 1.State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology,Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Urumqi 830011,China
    2.School of Geography Science,Shanxi Normal University,Linfen 041000,Shanxi,China
  • Received:2020-05-05 Revised:2020-09-03 Online:2021-01-20 Published:2021-01-29
  • Contact: Yuanming Zhang

Abstract:

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) is a complex of microorganism, cyanobacteria, lichen and moss that occur on or within top few centimeters of the soil surface. BSCs usually distributes in the dryland regions, and is an organizing principle in drylands. As the pioneers occurred in the desert ecosystems, BSCs can improve the stability of sand surface, fix carbon and nitrogen, increase soil fertility, and maintain soil moisture. In addition, BSCs plays a crucial role in the restoration of degraded soil surface. This article introduced the biological mechanism to fix sand through the ecological relationships between species replacements and the changes in ways of sand grain binding. The local dominant species (such as Microcoleus vaginatus, Syntichia caninevis and Bryum argenteum) in the field are recommended for the BSCs rehabilitation. Mass cultivation can be attained via the steps from species isolation in the laboratory to factory production in greenhouse, thus proving abundant inoculum for field growth. We also explored the species composition, physical and chemical assistance models during the field inoculation, and suggested that we need assess the growth according to surface stability, soil nutrient and species diversity of artificial BSCs. Last, we introduced the developments in sand fixation though artificial BSCs in China, and the experiences and challenges of BSCs rehabilitation. Our reviews suggest that artificial BSCs rehabilitation is a prospecting option for the ecological restoration.

Key words: biological soil crusts, species composition, artificial mass cultivation, ecological restoration, desert area

CLC Number: