Artificial culture of biological soil crusts and its effects on overland flow and infiltration under simulated rainfall

作者：Xiao, Bo^*; Wang, Qing-hai; Zhao, Yun-ge; Shao, Ming-an

来源：Applied Soil Ecology, 2011, 48(1): 11-17.

DOI：10.1016/j.apsoil.2011.02.006

• Loess Plateau
• Soil and water loss
• Moss crusts
• Soil hydrology
• Desertification control
• Arid and semiarid regions

Biological soil crusts are receiving increasing attention due to their potentially positive effects on desert ecosystems. Artificial propagation of crusts is one way to restore degraded desert soils. However, little is known about their effectiveness on overland flow or water infiltration. Consequently, a study was done on soils of the Loess Plateau of China that had crusts propagated on different slopes. The results show that: (1) it is feasible to artificially grow moss-dominated biological soil crusts (moss crusts) in laboratory; when inoculated by sprinkling crushed fragments of stems and leaves of natural moss crusts they will cover the soil surface almost completely after about 10 months; (2) the artificially propagated moss crusts significantly increase infiltration consequently decreasing overland flow and this increase in infiltration is positively correlated to the soil coverage extent; (3) overland flow results increased by slope in moss-protected and bare soils, consequently the action of moss crusts is particularly important for protecting steep slopes; (4) the start time of runoff process is delayed by moss crusts, and the soil water redistribution process is also greatly affected. These results may be useful for helping to control desertification on the Loess Plateau of China or similar regions.

• 出版日期2011-5
• 单位北京市农林科学院; 中国科学院; 黄土高原土壤侵蚀与旱地农业国家重点实验室; 中国科学院水利部水土保持研究所