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Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are widely distributed throughout the world, and cover approximately 12% of the terrestrial surface. Biocrusts are composed of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, mosses, and a great diversity of other microorganisms, which bind soil particles together to form a layer of biological-soil matrix on the soil surface typically of several millimetres thickness. They are important sites of regional and global microbial diversity and perform multiple ecological functions (multifunctionality). During the evolution of terrestrial life on earth, biocrusts are regarded as the main colonising photosynthetic organisms before the advent of vascular vegetation. They not only r...
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This volume summarizes our current understanding of biological soil crusts (biocrusts), which are omnipresent in dryland regions. Since they cover the soil surface, they influence, or even control, all surface exchange processes. Being one of the oldest terrestrial communities, biocrusts comprise a high diversity of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and bryophytes together with uncounted bacteria, and fungi. The authors show that biocrusts are an integral part of dryland ecosystems, stabilizing soils, influencing plant germination and growth, and playing a key role in carbon, nitrogen and water cycling. Initial attempts have been made to use biocrusts as models in ecological theory. On the other hand, biocrusts are endangered by local disruptions and global change, highlighting the need for enhanced recovery methods. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the fascinating field of biocrust research, making it indispensable not only for scientists in this area, but also for land managers, policy makers, and anyone interested in the environment.
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Environmental Toxicity of Nanomaterials focuses on causes and prevention of environmental toxicity induced by various nanomaterials. In sixteen chapters it describes the basic principles, trends, challenges, and future directions of nanoecotoxicity. The future acceptance of nanomaterials in various industries depends on the impacts of nanomaterials on the environment and ecosystem. This book analyzes the safe utilization of nanotechnology so the tremendous prospect of nanotechnology can be achieved without harming either living beings or the environment. Environmental Toxicity of Nanomaterials introduces nanoecotoxicity, describes various factors affecting the toxicity of nanomaterials, disc...
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This Research Topic is the second volume of the 'Community series-Extremophiles: Microbial Genomics and Taxogenomics'. Please see the first volume here. Extreme habitats exist across the globe and span over three quarters of our planet. They can be widely different from a physical-chemical perspective as they include diverse types of extreme, such as temperature, pH, salinity, radiation, pressure, low water activity, low nutrient availability, etc. Organisms capable of adjusting, surviving, or thriving in those habitats, which are so hostile that they were previously thought to be adverse or lethal for life, are called “extremophiles”.
Drought, a serious global issue, is being aggravated by climate change. Both pedological and agronomic droughts are major risk factors with adverse effects on agronomic productivity, food and nutritional security, and human wellbeing. This volume in the Advances in Soil Sciences series provides research information regarding case studies from diverse agro-ecoregions around the world and lists examples of effective management of drought at farm, state, national, regional, and global scales. Features: Considers processes, factors, and causes of pedological/agronomic droughts. Discusses effects of global warming on soil drought and describes management options to enhance drought resilience of a...
Soil Genesis and Classification, Sixth Edition, builds on the success of the previous editions to present an unparalleled resource on soil formation and classification. Featuring a color plate section containing multiple soil profiles, this text also includes information on new classification systems and emerging technologies and databases with updated references throughout. Covering the diverse needs of both the academic and professional communities, this classic text will be a must have reference for all those in soil science and related fields.