Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are complex consortia of microorganisms able to modify soil
physical, chemical, and hydrological characteristics and influence soil erosion resistance …

Rough surfaces are ubiquitous in nature. Near-surface processes both encounter and create
surface roughness. Recent advances in surveying have improved the resolution, extent and …

Soil health encompasses a range of biological, chemical, and physical soil properties that
sustain the commercial and ecological value of agroecosystems. Monitoring soil health …

The capture and use of water are critically important in drylands, which collectively constitute
Earth's largest biome. Drylands will likely experience lower and more unreliable rainfall as …

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 …

Large-scale vegetation restoration in the Chinese Loess Plateau has been initiated by the
central government over the past decades to control soil and water loss. However, no …

Soil erosion and subsequent land degradation contributed to societal collapse in the past
and are a leading cause of desertification in arid and semi-arid regions. Biological soil crusts …

It has been widely known that vegetation restoration plays a vital importance in controlling
surface runoff and soil erosion. The most of soil erosion were caused by erosive rainstorm …

Water and nutrients are scarce resources in arid and semiarid ecosystems. In these regions,
biological soil crusts (BSCs) occupy a large part of the soil surface in the open spaces …

Agricultural watersheds tend to be places of intensive farming activities that permanently
modify their microtopography. The surface characteristics of the soil vary depending on the …