Biological soil crusts are thin, inconspicuous communities along the soil atmosphere
ecotone that, until recently, were unrecognized by ecologists and even more so by …

The Great Wall of China, one of the most emblematic and historical structures built by
humankind throughout all of history, is suffering from rain and wind erosion and is largely …

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to play a crucial role in the field of phytoremediation
and its effective management in monitoring the growth of the plant in different contaminated …

The interaction between mineral particles and soil organic matter (SOM) is an important and
complex process during soil structure formation, in which the effects of soil texture and OM …

Core Ideas Plant mucilage and bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) prevent
the breakup of the soil liquid phase. Formation of continuous structures buffers soil hydraulic …

Background Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are a key component of arid land ecosystems,
where they render critical services such as soil surface stabilization and nutrient fertilization …

Desert surface soils devoid of plant cover are populated by a variety of microorganisms,
many with yet unresolved physiologies and lifestyles. Nevertheless, a common feature vital …

Abstract The Great Wall, as a World Heritage Site, is constructed with rammed earth and is
currently facing the threat of erosion from wind and rain. Vascular plants and biocrusts are …

Potash tailing piles caused by fertilizer production shape their surroundings because of the
associated salt impact. A previous study in these environments addressed the functional …

Biocrusts covering drylands account for major fractions of terrestrial biological nitrogen
fixation and release large amounts of gaseous reactive nitrogen (Nr) as nitrous acid (HONO) …