Strategies for restoring the structure and function of lichen‐moss biocrust communities. (17th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Slate, Mandy L.; Durham, Rebecca A.; Pearson, Dean E.
• Other Names: Antoninka Anita guestEditor.; Faist Akasha guestEditor.; Chaudhary Bala guestEditor.; Condon Lea guestEditor.; Rodriguez‐Caballero Emilio guestEditor.; Pyke David guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Restoration ecology. Volume 28(2020)Supplement 2
• Page Start: S160
• Page End: S167
• Publication Date: 2019-07-17
• Subjects: biological soil crusts -- ecosystem function -- inorganic N -- jute ground cloth -- lichen -- microbial biomass -- moss -- restoration; Restoration ecology -- Periodicals; Reclamation of land -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7153
• DOI: 10.1111/rec.12996
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1061-2971

Abstract

Abstract : Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are crucial components of dryland ecosystems, but they are slow to recover following disturbance. Herein, we evaluated several methods for restoring lichen‐moss biocrusts that included factorial applications of moss fragments in a water‐slurry (1) with and without lichen fragments (to restore biocrust taxonomic structure), (2) with and without clay (to facilitate establishment), and (3) with and without jute ground cloth (to facilitate establishment). Three and four years after inoculation, moss and lichen cover was up to five and eight times higher on jute ground cloth than on bare ground, respectively. Lichen cover was six times higher in plots where lichen fragments were added. Clay amendments did not increase moss or lichen establishment. To understand the effects of biocrust recovery on soil properties, we measured soil inorganic nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, and soil water availability in restoration and control plots. Restored biocrusts decreased inorganic NH4 ‐N availability by 67% when compared to controls 3 years after inoculation, but did not influence the availability of inorganic NO3 ‐N, soil water, or microbial biomass carbon. Our results demonstrate that adding a biocrust inoculant to jute ground cloth can expedite recovery of lichen‐moss biocrust and reestablish its influence on soil properties within a few years.