Responses of Soil C, N, P and Enzyme Activities to Biological Soil Crusts in China: A Meta-Analysis

作者：Zhicheng Yang, Yong Yuan, Jinjin Guo, Jinxi Li, Jianhua Li, Hu Yu, Wen Zeng, Yinhong Huang, Liyun Yin, Fulian Li · 发表于：Plants · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.3390/plants13111525 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology、Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics、Lichen and fungal ecology

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are often referred to as the "living skin" of arid regions worldwide. Yet, the combined impact of BSCs on soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and enzyme activities remains not fully understood. This study identified, screened and reviewed 71 out of 2856 literature sources to assess the responses of soil C, N, P and enzyme activity to BSCs through a meta-analysis. The results indicated that BSC presence significantly increased soil C, N, P and soil enzyme activity, and this increasing effect was significantly influenced by the types of BSCs. Results from the overall effect showed that soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP) increased by 107.88%, 84.52%, 45.43%, 27.46%, and 54.71%, respectively, and four soil enzyme activities (Alkaline Phosphatase, Cellulase, Sucrase, and Urease) increased by 93.65-229.27%. The highest increases in SOC, TN and AN content occurred in the soil covered with lichen crusts and moss crusts, and significant increases in Alkaline Phosphatase and Cellulase were observed in the soil covered with moss crusts and mixed crusts, suggesting that moss crusts can synergistically enhance soil C and N pool and enzyme activity. Additionally, variations in soil C, N, P content, and enzyme activity were observed under different environmental settings, with more pronounced improvements seen in coarse and medium-textured soils compared to fin...