Progress in the study of algae and mosses in biological soil crusts

Algae and mosses are not only two of the familiar communities in the process of desert vegetational succession, but also have the highest biomass in biological soil crusts. Meanwhile, being the pioneer plants, algae and mosses are involved in the establishment of biological soil crusts, which have great importance in arid environments and play a major role in desert ecosystems, such as being the indicator of the vegetation type, soil-holding, preventing erosion by water and wind, and sand fixation. This paper reviews the advances in the study of algae and mosses in arid and semi-arid areas. It mainly describes the ecological functions of algae and mosses including their influences on water cycle, circulation of substances, and community succession. In addition, the relationships between algae and mosses are discussed. Finally, some suggestions are proposed for the research orientations of algae and mosses in biological soil crusts. Ecologically, algae and mosses have significant ecological importance in arid areas, especially in those areas where environmental problems are becoming increasingly serious.     

荒漠生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物研究进展

藻类和苔藓植物是荒漠植被演替过程中常见的两类先锋植物,同时也是生物结皮中生物量最大的2个类群。该文综述了近年来干旱半干旱荒漠地区生物结皮中藻类和苔藓两大类植物区系及其生态作用的研究进展,重点介绍藻类结皮、苔藓结皮的生态作用以及二者之间存在的生态学关系。在此基础上对荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓植物的研究前景进行了展望,指出荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓共生机理的探讨是未来的研究重点,这对进一步探明生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物之间的相互作用,揭示它们的生态学关系具有重要的理论意义和实践价值。     

荒漠生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物研究进展

藻类和苔藓植物是荒漠植被演替过程中常见的两类先锋植物, 同时也是生物结皮中生物量最大的2个类群。该文综述了近年来干旱半干旱荒漠地区生物结皮中藻类和苔藓两大类植物区系及其生态作用的研究进展, 重点介绍藻类结皮、苔藓结皮的生态作用以及二者之间存在的生态学关系。在此基础上对荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓植物的研究前景进行了展望, 指出荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓共生机理的探讨是未来的研究重点, 这对进一步探明生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物之间的相互作用, 揭示它们的生态学关系具有重要的理论意义和实践价值。     

叶片毛尖对齿肋赤藓结皮凝结水形成及蒸发的影响

凝结水(隐匿降水)和降水是荒漠地区两种不同形式的水分来源,对荒漠生态系统极为重要。叶片毛尖(leaf hair points, LHPs)是很多荒漠藓类的重要外部形态结构特征,但它在藓类植物利用凝结水和降水中的作用尚不清楚。齿肋赤藓(Syntrichia caninervis)是古尔班通古特沙漠藓类结皮的优势种,其叶片顶端具有较长的白色毛尖。本文采用自制微渗计(h=3.5 cm, d=5.7 cm)研究了正常有毛尖和人工去除毛尖的齿肋赤藓结皮的凝结水特征及其在3种模拟降水梯度(1 mm, 3 mm, 6 mm)下的短期蒸发特征,结果表明：(1) 在凝结阶段,有毛尖结皮每时段的凝结水量均大于无毛尖结皮,但日出后有毛尖结皮凝结水下降速度稍快;有毛尖结皮的日凝结水量均大于无毛尖结皮,且前者的总凝结水量比后者多10.26%,即毛尖能增加10.26%的凝结水量。(2) 3种模拟降水梯度下,有毛尖结皮在各时段的累积蒸发率始终小于无毛尖结皮,以蒸发前期阶段最为明显,表明毛尖能显著减少和延缓结皮内的水分蒸发、延长植株水合时间,而且降水量越大减缓效果越明显。毛尖对这2种不同形式水分利用的差异是因为利用方式不同：对凝结水的利用主要归因于毛尖增大了结皮表面粗糙度,而减少对降水的蒸发主要是毛尖能反射阳光、形成内部毛细管及减小植株间隙的缘故。因此,毛尖的存在有利于齿肋赤藓结皮对凝结水和降水的利用,增强了藓类结皮对干旱环境的适应能力。     

荒漠地表生物土壤结皮形成与演替特征概述

土壤表面结皮是世界范围内干旱沙漠地区土壤表面广泛存在的自然现象,包括物理结皮和生物土壤结皮两大类型。其中,生物土壤结皮作为干旱沙漠地区特殊环境的产物,是由细菌、真菌、蓝绿藻、地衣和苔藓植物与土壤形成的有机复合体。它的形成使土壤表面在物理、化学和生物学特性上均明显不同于松散沙土,具有较强的抗风蚀功能和重要的生态效应,成为干旱沙漠地区植被演替的重要基础。随着形成生物土壤结皮的物种更替,维持结皮结构的主要胶结方式亦随之发生变化,即由胞外多糖的粘结作用逐渐转变为蓝藻和荒漠藻的藻丝体、地衣菌丝体以及苔藓植物假根的缠绕和捆绑作用,物种更替是结皮微结构和胶结方式转化的生物基础。生物土壤结皮的形成通常可以分为以下几个阶段:生物土壤结皮的早期阶段(土壤酶和土壤微生物),藻结皮阶段、地衣结皮阶段和苔藓结皮阶段。即随着土壤微生物在沙土表面的生长,随后出现丝状蓝藻和荒漠藻类植物,形成以藻类植物为主体的荒漠藻结皮;当土壤表面得到一定固定后,便开始出现地衣和苔藓植物,形成以地衣和苔藓植物为优势的生物结皮类型。其中,前一阶段的完成又为后一阶段的开始提供良好的环境条件。当环境条件适宜时,生物土壤结皮也可以不经历其中某个阶段而直接发育到更高级的阶段。     

不同类型生物土壤结皮覆盖下风沙土的入渗特征及模拟

干旱荒漠区广泛分布的生物土壤结皮(BSCs)对土壤水分入渗过程有重要影响。以古尔班通古特沙漠南缘的BSCs为研究对象,基于野外采样与室内模拟实验等方法,探究藓类、地衣和藻等3种类型BSCs覆盖下沙土的入渗特征。结果表明:与无结皮覆盖的风沙土对照,3种类型BSCs均显著降低了沙土初渗速率,藓类结皮、地衣结皮、藻结皮覆盖下初渗速率降低幅度依次为36.10%、46.42%、50.39%;藓类结皮、地衣结皮(P0.05)和藻结皮(P0.05)均明显降低了沙土稳渗速率,降低幅度依次为16.50%、33.98%和35.92%;3种类型BSCs均限制了湿润锋在沙土的推进过程,表现为:藓类结皮、地衣结皮、藻结皮的渗漏时间分别为裸沙对照的2.13、3.04和2.98倍;各类型BSCs均减小了沙土累积入渗量,阻碍了沙土水分入渗,与裸沙对照相比,藓类结皮、地衣结皮、藻结皮的1 h累积入渗量分别降低16.10%、28.56%和26.56%。在实验条件下,Kostiakov模型最适用于模拟不同类型BSCs覆盖下土壤水分入渗过程,Horton模型模拟效果次之。     

生物结皮影响下的土壤有机质分异特征

对新疆古尔班通古特沙漠生物结皮影响下的土壤有机质分异特征进行了定量研究。结果表明,该沙漠典型沙垄不同部位具有不同的土壤有机质特征,且土壤有机质含量具有明显的分层特征。无论是结皮覆盖区还是非覆盖区,土壤有机质的积累均以表层0~5cm土层为主,由表及里呈递减趋势。这种地表有机质分布的规律在该沙漠地表普遍存在。虽然如此,生物结皮却强烈影响着地表0~5cm土层有机质的含量的积累,它的存在使得该层有机质含量极显著地高于无结皮覆盖区0~5cm土层的有机质含量(t检验,p<0.01),表明生物结皮能显著增加地表0~5cm土层的有机质含量;而无论结皮覆盖区还是非结皮覆盖区,两者5~10cm土层之间和10~30cm土层之间的有机质含量无显著差异(t检验,p>0.05),说明生物结皮对土壤有机质含量的影响范围仅限于表层0~5cm,对更深层次土壤的有机质含量则无显著影响。     

荒漠结皮层藓类植物死亡对表层土壤水分蒸发和入渗的影响

水分是荒漠植物生长最主要的限制因子,藓类结皮作为荒漠土壤表层重要覆被物,对土壤水分蒸发入渗具有重要影响。研究表明,在全球气候变化背景下,不确定的降水格局变化导致结皮层藓类植物出现集群死亡现象,但这一过程对荒漠地表土壤水分蒸发与入渗过程的影响及其机理尚不清楚。以古尔班通古特沙漠齿肋赤藓结皮为研究对象,利用便携式渗透计和蒸发仪,研究了结皮层藓类植物死亡对土壤水分蒸发与入渗的影响。结果表明,与裸沙相比,藓类结皮的存在显著抑制了水分入渗,而藓类植物死亡的结皮层抑制作用最大,其初渗速率、稳渗速率和累积入渗量分别是活藓类结皮的39.89%、85.91%及64.48%,仅为裸沙的5.96%、13.13%及20.42%。在水分蒸发初期,裸沙的水分蒸发速率明显高于活藓类结皮和藓类植物死亡的结皮层,但藓类植物死亡的结皮层维持相对稳定的蒸发速率的时间长于裸沙和活藓类结皮,这也导致最终累计蒸发量以藓类植物死亡的结皮层最高、裸沙最低。可见,荒漠生物土壤结皮中藓类植物死亡会明显减少土壤水分入渗、增大水分蒸发,进一步影响荒漠表层土壤水分格局,从而影响生物土壤结皮与维管植物的水分利用关系。     

腾格里沙漠沙坡头地区荒漠地衣与生物地毯工程

文章论述了荒漠地衣与“沙漠生物地毯工程”。在沙坡头结皮微型生物中发现了23种地衣,其中两个新种已发表,一属6种为中国新记录。对于在腾格里沙漠东南角沙坡头地区人工植被固沙防护体系建成后的生态演替进行了分析。由于人工植被为形成结皮的微型生物提供了适宜的生长环境而导致微型生物结皮的形成和发育。在水分平衡规律的作用下漫长生态演替过程中,具有抽水机效应的人工植被使沙土深层水分消耗殆尽,从而导致人工植被自身逐年衰退。然而,与此相反的是无抽水机效应而具有固沙、固碳和抗旱功能的结皮微型生物却逐年形成并发育。这一结果为借助于结皮微型生物的接种技术在干旱沙漠构建“沙漠生物地毯工程”的可行性提供了科学依据。为了优化“沙漠生物地毯工程”利用荒漠地衣耐旱基因以构建转基因草地植物的研究也正在进行中。该研究是“沙漠生物地毯工程”基础研究的组成部分。     

Effects of altered temperature and precipitation on desert protozoa associated with biological soil crusts

Biological soil crusts are diverse assemblages of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, lichens, and mosses that cover much of arid land soils. The objective of this study was to quantify protozoa associated with biological soil crusts and test the response of protozoa to increased temperature and precipitation as is predicted by some global climate models. Protozoa were more abundant when associated with cyanobacteria/lichen crusts than with cyanobacteria crusts alone. Amoebae, flagellates, and ciliates originating from the Colorado Plateau desert (cool desert, primarily winter precipitation) declined 50-, 10-, and 100-fold, respectively, when moved in field mesocosms to the Chihuahuan Desert (hot desert, primarily summer rain). However, this was not observed in protozoa collected from the Chihuahuan Desert and moved to the Sonoran desert (hot desert, also summer rain, but warmer than Chihuahuan Desert). Protozoa in culture began to encyst at 37 degrees C. Cysts survived the upper end of daily temperatures (37-55 degrees C), and could be stimulated to excyst if temperatures were reduced to 15 degrees C or lower. Results from this study suggest that cool desert protozoa are influenced negatively by increased summer precipitation during excessive summer temperatures, and that desert protozoa may be adapted to a specific desert's temperature and precipitation regime.     

高寒沙区生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤碳通量对模拟降水的响应

生物土壤结皮作为干旱半干旱地区重要的地表覆盖类型和景观特征之一,其自身具备的光合与呼吸能力对荒漠生态系统地表与大气界面中的碳交换与循环产生了重要影响。水分是干旱半干旱地区许多生态过程中的主要限制因子,能够影响生物土壤结皮的光合与呼吸过程,进而影响生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤的碳通量规律。针对高寒沙区藓类和藻类结皮为主的生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤,设置了1、2、5、10mm以及0(对照)的模拟降水梯度,利用LI-8100土壤碳通量测定系统,对模拟降水后结皮覆盖土壤的碳通量进行测定,以探讨不同结皮种类和不同强度降水对碳通量的影响。结果表明:(1)降水对生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤的净碳通量、暗呼吸均有激发作用,使碳通量在极短时间内到达峰值且与对照差异显著,但各降水量之间差异不显著。两种不同结皮覆盖类型相比,藓类结皮覆盖土壤在降水后的碳通量峰值和受降水激发的有效时间均显著高于藻类结皮。(2)两种结皮覆盖土壤在模拟降水后的48h累积碳释放随降水量的增加而增加且与对照差异显著。同时藓类结皮覆盖土壤累计碳释放显著高于藻类结皮覆盖土壤。(3)两种生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤的碳通量和土壤水分体现出显著的相关性,净碳通量和暗呼吸均随水分的增加而增加。因此,在降水条件下生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤表现出明显的碳源效应,其碳通量以及碳释放量都有显著的改变,在研究干旱半干旱地区碳交换规律时应该考虑不同生物结皮的覆盖和降水事件的影响。     

腾格里沙漠东南缘不同生物土壤结皮细菌多样性及其季节动态特征

微生物多样性对于生物土壤结皮在沙漠生态系统中改善局部环境以及提升生态功能具有重要作用。本研究对腾格里沙漠东南缘沙坡头地区藻结皮、藓结皮及其下层的四季样品进行了16S rDNA高通量测序, 以期阐明细菌多样性及其在生物土壤结皮演替过程中的季节变化规律。结果表明4种类型样品的细菌丰富度在夏季显著低于其他3个季节。4种类型样品中主要的细菌类群为变形菌门、放线菌门、绿弯菌门、酸杆菌门、蓝细菌门等, 其中变形菌门和放线菌门为优势类群, 夏季时变形菌门的相对多度显著高于春季、秋季、冬季, 且在结皮层中相对多度显著高于结皮下层。放线菌门的相对多度在春季、夏季显著高于秋季、冬季, 且结皮下层相对多度高于结皮层。生物土壤结皮演替过程中细菌多样性及其相对多度季节动态变化表明其对沙漠土壤局部环境的变化作出了响应, 这为深入理解生物土壤结皮在沙漠生态系统中的生态功能提供了微生物多样性数据。     

干旱沙区生物土壤结皮发育对红砂形态及干物质积累的影响

为了探讨干旱沙区生物土壤结皮发育对红砂形态及干物质积累的影响,以巴丹吉林沙漠南缘已发育不同类型生物土壤结皮并有红砂种群成功定居的区域为研究场所,通过野外监测与室内测定的方法对藻类-地衣、地衣、地衣-藓类结皮上的红砂（当年生、幼株、成株）形态特征及生物量进行了调查研究。结果表明：（1）藻类-地衣结皮演替到地衣-藓类结皮的过程中,当年生红砂形态差异不显著,但5 a以上植株基部分枝长、树冠/侧冠投影面积、主根长均显著减小;同时,地衣-藓类结皮的3-5 a植株基部分枝数明显减少,且5 a以上植株明显矮化。（2）生物土壤结皮发育不仅降低了红砂幼株或成株生物量积累能力,还减小了植株根冠比,且降低/减小程度随结皮演替或株龄的增大逐渐增大。（3）红砂形态、生物量指标与物理或藻类结皮面积百分比呈极显著正相关关系,与藓类结皮面积百分比呈极显著的负相关关系。因此认为,生物土壤结皮的演替导致土壤关键生态因子（如土壤水分）发生变化,进而影响红砂植株生长发育能力,从而使得不同发育阶段结皮上的同龄红砂形态特征及生物量存在差异性。     

毛乌素沙地生物结皮覆盖区土壤水分收支变化特征

探究半干旱生态系统生物土壤结皮对土壤水文过程的影响,并量化生物结皮覆盖下土壤水分收支状况,可为荒漠地区植被恢复与重建提供理论依据。本研究基于2018—2020年生长季(5—10月)对毛乌素沙地不同类型生物结皮(如藻类和苔藓)覆盖区土壤水分的连续观测,以裸沙为对照,分析了生物结皮对0～40 cm土壤水分收支的影响。结果表明: 与裸沙相比,藻类结皮和苔藓结皮显著降低了降雨对40 cm以下土壤水分的补充,增加了土壤水分的蒸发损失。在相对湿润年份(2018年),裸沙和不同类型生物结皮覆盖土壤的水分支出量(渗漏量+蒸发量)均低于降雨量,土壤水分状况为收入;在相对干旱年份(2019和2020年),藻类结皮和苔藓结皮覆盖土壤的水分支出量高于降雨量,土壤水分产生亏缺,但是裸沙相反。可见,生物结皮导致其下覆0～40 cm土壤水分收支不平衡,在相对干旱年份出现了水分亏缺,这可能驱动该区域植被群落向浅根系植物演替。     

荒漠地衣结皮研究进展

微型生物结皮在干旱、半干旱荒漠地区广泛分布,对维持荒漠生态系统的稳定性具有重要作用。地衣结皮是微型生物结皮的重要组成部分及主要类型之一,在固沙、固碳和固氮能力方面独具优势。本文从区域尺度和局部尺度综述了国内外荒漠地衣分布、群落组成及其影响因素,从微尺度探讨了荒漠地衣在形成过程中可能相关的生物因子的作用与功能。虽已有研究发现气候类型、降水量、土壤理化性质、微地形和温度会对荒漠地衣生长型、种类、丰度及盖度产生影响,来自地衣体、地衣结皮和地衣结皮土壤中的生物因素与维持地衣正常生命活动及分布之间存在相关关系,但上述结论尚具有一定的局限性,主要表现在区域尺度仍缺乏专门对荒漠地衣的研究,微尺度缺乏对地衣相关生物功能的实验性探索及验证。上述局限在一定程度上限制了通过人工手段大规模应用荒漠地衣结皮的研究。本文基于国内外研究进展及存在问题,对荒漠地衣结皮应用进行了展望,以期为人工构建荒漠地衣结皮和干旱、半干旱荒漠治理及生态恢复提供新的思路和参考。     

干旱与半干旱地区苔藓植物生态学研究综述

苔藓植物一般生活在阴湿的地方,但也有不少种类具有极强的耐旱性,在干旱和半干旱地区也有分布,在干旱和半干旱地区,影响苔藓植物分布的环境因子包括降水,pH值,CaCO3含量,植被盖度,有机质含量以及土壤质地等,其中起沙,固沙和生态小环境的改善中发挥着不可替代的作用。     

Leben zwischen Eis und Felsen

Biological soil crusts in Antarctica: Life between ice and rocks Despite its adverse environmental conditions and geographical isolation, Antarctica is home to a rich vegetation of lichens, mosses, algae, fungi and bacteria. In the milder areas of the maritime and continental Antarctic, these pioneer species form widely visible biological soil crusts. In drier areas, they occur mainly within the outer rock and upper soil layers. Among the ecological adaptations that enable these species to survive Antarctic conditions, a good dehydration tolerance stands out. Almost nothing is known about the genetic diversity of most species. While some species probably originated in Antarctica, others are relatively late settlers.     

生物结皮粗糙特征——以古尔班通古特沙漠为例

摘要：空气动力粗糙度可以反映地表气流与下垫面的相互作用。古尔班通古特沙漠是我国最大的固定、半固定沙漠,其间广泛分布的生物结皮在稳定地表和改善环境方面意义重大。对未经扰动的4种类型生物结皮进行表面微形态观察,并通过风洞实验确定动力粗糙度Z0和摩阻风速u*,结果表明：（1）不同生物结皮类型,其组成和表面微形态等都具有明显差异。藻结皮以表面致密光滑为显著特征,由藻类分泌物和藻丝体粘结细粒物质所形成;地衣结皮表面藻类和真菌形成的叶状体匍匐沙面生长,呈现三维生长方式,形成有明显凹凸的壳状覆被;苔藓结皮以苔藓植物体密集丛生为特点,地上部分出现了茎叶分化,有一定的柔韧性。（2）就动力粗糙度的大小而言,是按地衣结皮>藻类－地衣结皮>苔藓结皮>藻结皮的顺序排列的,Z0平均值依次为（6.5890.850）mm、（4.1790.239）mm、（2.5420.357）mm和（0.3930.220）mm,与定床裸沙面的（0.0420.019）mm相比,生物结皮Z0值提高了10—150倍。随着风速的增大Z0值有所减小,其中以地衣结皮的减小趋势较为明显。（3）由风速廓线对比发现,四类生物结皮对气流阻滞作用的差异主要局限于4 cm以下的高度范围,风速越大这种差异也越大。各类生物结皮摩阻风速u*随风速增大而增大,其中藻结皮的增大速率明显低于其它三类结皮,说明藻结皮随风速增大的阻滞效应较其它三类结皮要差。（4）在净风条件下,地衣结皮具有最好的防风效果,其次为藻类－地衣结皮和苔藓结皮,藻结皮最差。当生物结皮破损后,床面结构和气流性质将发生变化,对空气动力学粗糙度和摩阻风速产生的影响将有待于进行更深入的研究。     

Spatial patterns of surface soil properties and vegetation in a Mediterranean semi-arid steppe

In arid and semi-arid areas with sparse vegetation cover, the spatial pattern of surface soil properties affects water and nutrient flows, and is a question of considerable interest for understanding degradation processes and establishing adequate management measures. In this study, we investigate the spatial distribution of vegetation and surface soil properties (biological crusts, physical crusts, mosses, rock fragments, earthworm casts, fine root accumulation and below-ground stones) in a semi-arid Stipa tenacissima L. steppe in SE Spain. We applied the combination of spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) and geostatistics to assess the spatial pattern of soil properties and vegetation, and correlation analyses to explore how these patterns were related. SADIE analysis detected significant clumped patterns in the spatial distribution of vegetation, mosses, fine root accumulation and below-ground stone content. Contoured SADIE index of clustering maps suggested the presence of patchiness in the distribution of earthworm casts, fine roots, below-ground stone content, mosses and biological crusts. Correlation analyses suggested that spatial pattern of some soil properties such as biological crusts, moss cover, surface rock fragments, physical crusts and fine roots were significantly related with above-ground plant distribution. We discuss the spatial arrangement of surface soil properties and suggest mechanistic explanations for the observed spatial patterns and relationships.     

Long-Term Ecosystem Effects of Sand-Binding Vegetation in the Tengger Desert, Northern China

The planting of sand‐binding vegetation in the Shapotou region at the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert began in 1956. Over the past 46 years, it has not only insured the smooth operation of the Baotou–Lanzhou railway in the sand dune section but has also played an important role in the restoration of the local eco‐environment; therefore, it is viewed as a successful model for desertification control and ecological restoration along the transport line in the arid desert region of China. Long‐term monitoring and focused research show that within 4–5 years of establishment of sand‐binding vegetation, the physical surface structure of the sand dunes stabilized, and inorganic soil crusts formed by atmospheric dust gradually turned into microbiotic crusts. Among the organisms comprising these crusts are cryptogams such as desert algae and mosses. In the 46 years since establishing sand‐binding vegetation, some 24 algal species occurred in the crusts. However, only five moss species were identified, which was fewer than the species number in the crust of naturally fixed sand dunes. Other results of the planting were that near‐surface wind velocity in the 46‐year‐old vegetation area was reduced by 54.2% compared with that in the moving sand area; soil organic matter increased from 0.06% in moving sand dunes to 1.34% in the 46‐year‐old vegetation area; the main nutrients N, P, K, etc., in the desert ecosystem increased; soil physicochemical properties improved; and soil‐forming processes occurred in the dune surface layer. Overall, establishment of sand‐binding vegetation significantly impacted soil water cycles, creating favorable conditions for colonization by many herbaceous species. These herbaceous species, in turn, facilitated the colonization and persistence of birds, insects, soil animals, and desert animals. Forty‐six years later, some 28 bird species and 50 insect species were identified in the vegetated dune field. Thus, establishment of a relatively simple community of sand‐binding species led to the transformation of the relatively barren dune environment into a desert ecosystem with complex structure, composition, and function. This restoration effort shows the potential for short‐term manipulation of environmental variables (i.e., plant cover via artificial vegetation establishment) to begin the long‐term process of ecological restoration, particularly in arid climates, and demonstrates several techniques that can be used to scientifically monitor progress in large‐scale restoration projects.