Species composition, distribution patterns and ecological functions of biological soil crusts in Gurbantunggut Desert

As one of the most important biological factors that maintain the stability of the largest fixed and semi-fixed desert in China, the Gurbantonggute Desert, biological soil crusts (BSCs) developed well there and fulfill critical ecological roles in that desert ecosystem. In this paper, we briefly summarized our research findings since 2002, including species composition, distribution pattern and ecological functions of BSCs in the desert. Our results revealed that species diversity of BSCs in the Gurbantunggute Desert is more abundant in comparison to other deserts in China. Over sand dune or even larger scale (at the whole desert scale), the distribution patterns of BSCs present a location-specific mode. The existence of BSCs in this desert could: (1) accelerate the formation of desert soil and the weathering of minerals; (2) accumulate surface nitrogen content in desert ecosystem through the role of nitrogen-fixation related species in crusts; (3) enhance the abilities of sand surface resistant to wind erosion; (4) influence seed germination of vascular plant; (5) enhance the production of dew deposition on sandy soil surface.

Species composition, distribution patterns and ecological functions of biological soil crusts in Gurbantunggut Desert Keywords:

Biological soil crust , species diversity , location-specific distribution , desert ecosystem