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Frontiers in Biology

ISSN 1674-7984

ISSN 1674-7992(Online)

CN 11-5892/Q

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Front Biol Chin    2009, Vol. 4 Issue (2) : 143-150    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-008-0104-0
REVIEW
Progress in the study of algae and mosses in biological soil crusts
Jiancheng ZHAO1(), Yunpu ZHENG1, Bingchang ZHANG2,3, Ying CHEN4, Yuanming ZHANG2
1. College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050016, China; 2. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumuqi 830011, China; 3. Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; 4. College of Biological Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Economics and Business, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
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Abstract

Algae and mosses are not only two of the familiar communities in the process of desert vegetational succession, but also have the highest biomass in biological soil crusts. Meanwhile, being the pioneer plants, algae and mosses are involved in the establishment of biological soil crusts, which have great importance in arid environments and play a major role in desert ecosystems, such as being the indicator of the vegetation type, soil-holding, preventing erosion by water and wind, and sand fixation. This paper reviews the advances in the study of algae and mosses in arid and semi-arid areas. It mainly describes the ecological functions of algae and mosses including their influences on water cycle, circulation of substances, and community succession. In addition, the relationships between algae and mosses are discussed. Finally, some suggestions are proposed for the research orientations of algae and mosses in biological soil crusts. Ecologically, algae and mosses have significant ecological importance in arid areas, especially in those areas where environmental problems are becoming increasingly serious.
Keywords algae      biological soil crusts      mosses     
Corresponding Author(s): ZHAO Jiancheng,Email:zhaojiancheng@mail.hebtu.edu.cn   
Issue Date: 05 June 2009
 Cite this article:   
Yunpu ZHENG,Bingchang ZHANG,Ying CHEN, et al. Progress in the study of algae and mosses in biological soil crusts[J]. Front Biol Chin, 2009, 4(2): 143-150.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fib/EN/10.1007/s11515-008-0104-0
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fib/EN/Y2009/V4/I2/143
Fig.1  Types of biological soil crusts
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