Effects of rainfall manipulations on carbon exchange of cyanobacteria and moss-dominated biological soil crusts

摘要: Abstract Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are a vital biotic component of dryland ecosystems that impact global nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) cycling. Water availability is the main controller physiological function biocrusts in these ecosystems, yet few studies have compared balance different responding to water treatments. In this study, we explored effects on exchanges by measuring situ net CO2 fluxes cyanobacteria moss-dominated under four treatments (2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm) fenced grassland Loess Plateau, China. Our results indicate played role biocrusts. Under higher additions, both fixed but lower additions did not always lead gains, especially for crusts. Importantly, our data existence thresholds fixation biocrusts, below which loss occurs. This implies would benefit moss growth, while suitable circumstance growth cyanobacteria.