Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/11631
Title: Ecological Succession, Hydrology and Carbon Acquisition of Biological Soil Crusts Measured at the Micro-Scale
Contributor(s): Tighe, Matthew  (author); Haling, Rebecca  (author); Flavel, Richard  (author)orcid ; Young, Iain  (author)
Publication Date: 2012
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048565Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/11631
Abstract: The hydrological characteristics of biological soil crusts (BSCs) are not well understood. In particular the relationship between runoff and BSC surfaces at relatively large (>1 m²) scales is ambiguous. Further, there is a dearth of information on small scale (mm to cm) hydrological characterization of crust types which severely limits any interpretation of trends at larger scales. Site differences and broad classifications of BSCs as one soil surface type rather than into functional form exacerbate the problem. This study examines, for the first time, some hydrological characteristics and related surface variables of a range of crust types at one site and at a small scale (sub mm to mm). X-ray tomography and fine scale hydrological measurements were made on intact BSCs, followed by C and C isotopic analyses. A 'hump' shaped relationship was found between the successional stage/sensitivity to physical disturbance classification of BSCs and their hydrophobicity, and a similar but 'inverse hump' relationship exists with hydraulic conductivity. Several bivariate relationships were found between hydrological variables. Hydraulic conductivity and hydrophobicity of BSCs were closely related but this association was confounded by crust type. The surface coverage of crust and the microporosity 0.5 mm below the crust surface were closely associated irrespective of crust type. The δ ¹³C signatures of the BSCs were also related to hydraulic conductivity, suggesting that the hydrological characteristics of BSCs alter the chemical processes of their immediate surroundings via the physiological response (C acquisition) of the crust itself. These small scale results illustrate the wide range of hydrological properties associated with BSCs, and suggest associations between the ecological successional stage/functional form of BSCs and their ecohydrological role that needs further examination.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: PLoS One, 7(10), p. 1-12
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 1932-6203
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 050305 Soil Physics
050303 Soil Biology
050102 Ecosystem Function
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 410605 Soil physics
410603 Soil biology
410203 Ecosystem function
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960910 Sparseland, Permanent Grassland and Arid Zone Land and Water Management
960811 Sparseland, Permanent Grassland and Arid Zone Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
960510 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Sparseland, Permanent Grassland and Arid Zone Environments
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 180607 Terrestrial erosion
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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