Перейти к основному содержанию

page search

Library Three‐dimensional structure and cyanobacterial activity within a desert biological soil crust

Three‐dimensional structure and cyanobacterial activity within a desert biological soil crust

Three‐dimensional structure and cyanobacterial activity within a desert biological soil crust

Resource information

Date of publication
декабря 2016
Resource Language
ISBN / Resource ID
AGRIS:US201600125820
Pages
372-383

Desert biological soil crusts (BSCs) are formed by adhesion of soil particles to polysaccharides excreted by filamentous cyanobacteria, the pioneers and main producers in this habitat. Biological soil crust destruction is a central factor leading to land degradation and desertification. We study the effect of BSC structure on cyanobacterial activity. Micro‐scale structural analysis using X‐ray microtomography revealed a vesiculated layer 1.5–2.5 mm beneath the surface in close proximity to the cyanobacterial location. Light profiles showed attenuation with depth of 1%–5% of surface light within 1 mm but also revealed the presence of ‘light pockets’, coinciding with the vesiculated layer, where the irradiance was 10‐fold higher than adjacent crust parts at the same depth. Maximal photosynthetic activity, examined by O₂ concentration profiles, was observed 1 mm beneath the surface and another peak in association with the ‘light pockets’. Thus, photosynthetic activity may not be visible to currently used remote sensing techniques, suggesting that BSCs' contribution to terrestrial productivity is underestimated. Exposure to irradiance higher than 10% full sunlight diminished chlorophyll fluorescence, whereas O₂ evolution and CO₂ uptake rose, indicating that fluorescence did not reflect cyanobacterial photosynthetic activity. Our data also indicate that although resistant to high illumination, the BSC‐inhabiting cyanobacteria function as ‘low‐light adapted’ organisms.

Share on RLBI navigator
NO

Authors and Publishers

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s)

Raanan, Hagai
Felde, Vincent J. M. N. L.
Peth, Stephan
Drahorad, Sylvie
Ionescu, Danny
Eshkol, Gil
Treves, Haim
Felix‐Henningsen, Peter
Berkowicz, Simon M.
Keren, Nir
Horn, Rainer
Hagemann, Martin
Kaplan, Aaron

Publisher(s)
Data Provider