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Establishing rates of lateral expansion of cyanobacterial biological soil crusts for optimal restoration

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Abstract

Aims

Biocrusts that form on topsoils contribute ecosystem services to drylands, and their loss under anthropogenic pressure has negative ecological consequences. Therefore, development of biocrust inoculation technology for restoration is of interest. This requires knowledge of biocrust growth and dispersal. To contribute to this, we determined the speed at which biocrusts expand laterally based on the self-propelled motility of cyanobacteria.

Methodology

We inoculated sterile soil with natural biocrusts and incubated them over a year in a greenhouse under conditions mimicking local precipitation, monitoring the crust’s lateral expansion using time-course photography, chlorophyll a content, and microscopic inspection. Concurrent uninoculated controls served to monitor, and discount, natural inoculation by aeolian propagules.

Results

While the expansion front was highly variable in space, biocrusts expanded in the order of 2 cm month−1, but only in seasons with moderate temperatures (Spring and Fall). Microcoleus vaginatus, Microcoleus steenstrupii, and Scytonema spp. advanced at averages of 1 cm month−1, the crust advance front being preferentially driven by specialized propagules (hormogonia). These rates are within expectations based on instantaneous gliding motility speeds of cyanobacteria.

Conclusions

Based on the expansion capability of biocrusts during growth seasons, greenhouse inoculum units can be optimally spaced to fill 4–8 cm gaps.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partly carried out with funds provided by a Strategic Environmental Research and Development Grant of the U.S. Department of Defense. We thank Heather Throop (Arizona State University) for facilities and aid in the determination of soil textures, and Michael Bliss of Thomas Day laboratory (Arizona State University) for equipment and assistance with measuring PAR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA

    Kira Sorochkina, Sergio Velasco Ayuso & Ferran Garcia-Pichel

  2. Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA

    Kira Sorochkina & Ferran Garcia-Pichel

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  1. Kira Sorochkina
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  2. Sergio Velasco Ayuso
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Correspondence to Ferran Garcia-Pichel.

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Sorochkina, K., Velasco Ayuso, S. & Garcia-Pichel, F. Establishing rates of lateral expansion of cyanobacterial biological soil crusts for optimal restoration. Plant Soil 429, 199–211 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3695-5

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