<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>With biocrusts playing a cardinal role in C and N fixation in arid zones, information regarding the factors that determine their limits of growth is of uttermost importance for the study of ecosystem structure and function. This is also the case in the western Negev dunefields, where although abundant on the sandy surfaces, biocrusts are scarce on fine-grained (mainly loessial) sediments, termed playas. In the Nizzana research site (NRS), visibly distinct surfaces, with and without biocrusts were noted within a single playa. In an attempt to characterize these distinct surfaces, a set of random measurements were carried out, which included measurements of crack density, microrelief and chlorophyll content of the upper 0–1 cm. Following a cluster analysis, four distinct types of surfaces (hereafter habitats) were defined, one with substantial amount of chlorophyll content which can be regarded as biocrust (P4), and three non-crusted surfaces (P1–P3). Within each type, two 50 cm-deep pits were dug and the pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and fine (silt and clay) content (FC) of samples collected at 1–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm-depth were analyzed. In addition, periodical moisture measurements were carried out (in pairs) to a depth of 0–20 cm at each surface type during 2013/14. All non-crusted habitats (P1–P3) were characterized by loessial subsurface sediments. Conversely, P4 was either characterized by loessial subsurface sediments (and in this case it was characterized by a slightly concave surface) or having a sandy subsurface (at ~5–10 cm depth). While the non-crusted surfaces exhibited low moisture content, P4 exhibited deeper and higher moisture content explained either by the more sandy sediments or by lower water loss through runoff. The findings point to the close link between surface and subsurface properties and indicate that water availability may explain biocrust establishment and growth also at the loessial playa surfaces. Biocrusts may thus serve as bioindicators for habitats with high moisture content.</p></abstract>

With biocrusts playing a cardinal role in C and N fixation in arid zones, information regarding the factors that determine their limits of growth is of uttermost importance for the study of ecosystem structure and function. This is also the case in the western Negev dunefields, where although abundant on the sandy surfaces, biocrusts are scarce on fine-grained (mainly loessial) sediments, termed playas. In the Nizzana research site (NRS), visibly distinct surfaces, with and without biocrusts were noted within a single playa. In an attempt to characterize these distinct surfaces, a set of random measurements were carried out, which included measurements of crack density, microrelief and chlorophyll content of the upper 0–1 cm. Following a cluster analysis, four distinct types of surfaces (hereafter habitats) were defined, one with substantial amount of chlorophyll content which can be regarded as biocrust (P4), and three non-crusted surfaces (P1–P3). Within each type, two 50 cm-deep pits were dug and the pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and fine (silt and clay) content (FC) of samples collected at 1–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm-depth were analyzed. In addition, periodical moisture measurements were carried out (in pairs) to a depth of 0–20 cm at each surface type during 2013/14. All non-crusted habitats (P1–P3) were characterized by loessial subsurface sediments. Conversely, P4 was either characterized by loessial subsurface sediments (and in this case it was characterized by a slightly concave surface) or having a sandy subsurface (at ~5–10 cm depth). While the non-crusted surfaces exhibited low moisture content, P4 exhibited deeper and higher moisture content explained either by the more sandy sediments or by lower water loss through runoff. The findings point to the close link between surface and subsurface properties and indicate that water availability may explain biocrust establishment and growth also at the loessial playa surfaces. Biocrusts may thus serve as bioindicators for habitats with high moisture content.

Linking surface and subsurface properties of biocrusted and non-biocrusted habitats of fine-grained fluvial sediments (playas) from the Negev Desert

Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel. Tel: +972-54-4967-271. Fax: 972-2-566-2581.

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

With biocrusts playing a cardinal role in C and N fixation in arid zones, information regarding the factors that determine their limits of growth is of...

Linking surface and subsurface properties of biocrusted and non-biocrusted habitats of fine-grained fluvial sediments (playas) from the Negev Desert

Published Online: May 12, 2016

Page range: 141 - 149

Received: Jul 24, 2015

Accepted: Nov 05, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/johh-2016-0006

Keywords
Available water content, Loess, Soil moisture

© 2016 Giora J. Kidron, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Linking surface and subsurface properties of biocrusted and non-biocrusted habitats of fine-grained fluvial sediments (playas) from the Negev Desert

Published Online: May 12, 2016

Page range: 141 - 149

Received: Jul 24, 2015

Accepted: Nov 05, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/johh-2016-0006

KeywordsAvailable water content, Loess, Soil moisture

© 2016 Giora J. Kidron, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Available water content, Loess, Soil moisture