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Synopsis: Influence of Biological Soil Crusts on Arid Land Hydrology and Soil Stability

  • Chapter
Biological Soil Crusts: Structure, Function, and Management

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 150))

Abstract

Chapters 22–24 of this Volume review the relationships between biological soil crusts and soil hydrology in the deserts of Israel, Australia, and North America, respectively. It is readily apparent that there are contradictions regarding the effects of biological soil crusts on arid land hydrology and soil stability. A logical approach to understanding some of the commonalities and disparities is to seek an understanding of how the crusts affect the processes of infiltration, runoff and erosion. Infiltration and runoff are closely related and inversely proportional, i. e., as more water infiltrates into the soil, less is available for surface runoff. This chapter discusses the effects of biological soil crusts on parameters known to control the partitioning of surface water between infiltration and runoff, as well as parameters related to soil erosion. These include soil physical and chemical properties, surface cover and roughness, below-ground biomass, soil hydrophobicity, and antecedent soil moisture content.

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Authors
  1. S. D. Warren
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 2290 S. Resource Blvd., Moab, Utah, 84532, USA

    Jayne Belnap

  2. Lehrstuhl für Botanik II, Universität Würzburg Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 3, 97082, Würzburg, Germany

    Otto L. Lange

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© 2001 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Warren, S.D. (2001). Synopsis: Influence of Biological Soil Crusts on Arid Land Hydrology and Soil Stability. In: Belnap, J., Lange, O.L. (eds) Biological Soil Crusts: Structure, Function, and Management. Ecological Studies, vol 150. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56475-8_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56475-8_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-43757-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-56475-8

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