Interaction of biological soil crusts with edaphic parameters of carbon and nitrogen in desertified soils
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Universidad Nacional de Colombia
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This study aimed to assess the influence of biological soil crusts (BSCs) on soil parameters associated with carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils undergoing desertification in Villa de Leyva, Colombia. Soil samples were collected from areas with and without biological soil crusts. Physicochemical variables, including moisture, pH, total nitrogen, and organic carbon, were measured alongside enzymatic activities such as protease, urease, and β-glucosidase. The abundance of microorganisms-including nitrogen-fixing and cellulolytic bacteria, as well as cellulolytic fungi-was also analyzed. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. Results indicate that soils with biological crusts harbor a significantly greater abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria than those without crusts. Additionally, soils with biological crusts exhibited significant increases in total nitrogen, organic carbon, urease, and β-glucosidase at specific sampling points, suggesting a general trend towards higher values, although average differences were not statistically significant. Biological soil crusts exhibit beneficial properties in soils undergoing desertification, underscoring their potential role in ecosystem restoration and land degradation mitigation.
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