Evaporative losses from soils covered by physical and different types of biological soil crusts

摘要: Evaporation of soil moisture is one the most important processes affecting water availability in semiarid ecosystems. Biological crusts, which are widely distributed ground cover these ecosystems, play a recognized role on processes. Where they roughen surfaces, residence time and thus infiltration can be greatly enhanced, whereas their ability to clog pores or cap surface when wetted decrease rate, evaporative losses. In this work, we compared evaporation soils covered by physical biological crusts different developmental stages underlying crust types. Our results show that during highest (Day 1), there was no difference among any types them. On Day 2, moderately low (11%), slightly higher well-developed than poorly developed crusts. However, removal did not cause significant changes with respective type. These suggest small differences observed could caused properties underneath At (<6%), soils. Water loss for complete cycle (from saturation dry soil) similar both crusted scraped Therefore, conclude specific tested, presence type modify respect Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.