Studies of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) have proliferated over the last few decades. The
biocrust literature has broadened, with more studies assessing and describing the function …

A wide range of microorganisms produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), highly
hydrated polymers that are mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA. EPS …

The tension between a growing global demand for food, rising environmental impacts of
agricultural intensification, and the uncertainty of future changes in our global climate …

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous components of biocrust communities and the first colonizers of
terrestrial ecosystems. They play multiple roles in the soil by fixing C and N and synthesizing …

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are biopolymers secreted by microorganisms such
as bacteria, fungi, and algae that may play a significant role in the speciation, toxicity, and …

Abstract Biological Soil Crusts (BSCs) represent an important part of the living cover in
drylands worldwide. BCSs change soil hydrology due to extracellular polymeric substances …

The use of cyanobacteria as soil inoculants is a very promising biotechnological approach
that is receiving increasing scientific attention for its potential for soil degradation control …

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) form a Bliving skin^ at the soil surface in many low-
productivity ecosystems around the world including water-and cold-limited environments …

Biocrust effects on soil water infiltration and hydropedological processes have attracted
increasing attention in dryland ecosystems, but are nevertheless subjected to great …

The complex interactions between biocrust properties and rainfall characteristics give rise to
partitioning of infiltration and runoff. In this review we examine primary mechanisms for …