The vertical microdistribution of cyanobacteria and green algae within desert crusts and the development of the algal crusts

Substantial amounts of algal crusts were collected from five different desert experimental sites aged 42, 34, 17, 8 and 4 years, respectively, at Shapotou (China) and analyzed at a 0.1 mm microscale of depth. It was found that the vertical distribution of cyanobacteria and microalgae in the crusts was distinctly laminated into an inorganic-layer (ca.0.00–0.02 mm, with few algae), an algae-dense-layer (ca.0.02–1.0 mm) and an algae-sparse-layer (ca.1.0–5.0 mm). It was interesting to note that in all crusts Scytonema javanicum Born et Flah (or Nostoc sp., cyanobacterium), Desmococcus olivaceus (Pers ex Ach., green alga) Laundon and Microcoleus vaginatus Gom. (cyanobacterium) dominated at the depth of 0.02–0.05, 0.05–0.1 and 0.1–1.0 mm, respectively, from the surface. Phormidium tenue Gom. (or Lyngbya cryptovaginatus Schk., cyanobacterium) and Navicula cryptocephala Kutz.(or Hantzschia amphioxys (Ehr.) Grun. and N. cryptocephala together, diatom) dominated at the depth of 1.0–3.0 and 3.5–4.0 mm, respectively, of the crusts from the 42 and 34 year old sites. It was apparent that in more developed crusts there were more green algae and the niches of Nostoc sp., Chlorella vulgaris Beij., M. vaginatus, N. cryptocephala and fungi were nearer to the surface. If lichens and mosses accounted for less than 41.5% of the crust surface, algal biovolume was bigger when the crust was older, but the opposite was true when the cryptogams other than algae covered more than 70%. In addition to detailed species composition and biovolume, analyses of soil physicochemical properties, micromorphologies and mineral components were also performed. It was found that the concentration of organic matter and nutrients, electric conductivity, silt, clay, secondary minerals were higher and there were more micro-beddings in the older crusts than the less developed ones. Possible mechanisms for the algal vertical microdistribtion at different stages and the impact of soil topography on crust development are discussed. It is concluded that biomethods (such as fine species distribution and biovolume) were more precise than mineralogical approaches in judging algal crust development and thus could be a better means to measure the potentiality of algal crusts in desert amelioration.     

腾格里沙漠人工固沙植被演替生物土壤结皮盖度对沙埋的响应

生物土壤结皮(简称结皮)的形成与发展是沙区固沙植被建设成功的重要标志之一,其盖度随固沙植被演替的变化趋势是表征该植被系统地表稳定性的一个直观性生态学指标。利用空间代时间的方法,以腾格里沙漠不同始植年代(1956、1973、1981和1987年)固沙植被区发育的4种优势结皮-真藓(Bryum argenteum Hedw.)结皮、土生对齿藓(Didymodon vinealis(Brid.)Zand.)结皮、齿肋赤藓(Syntrichia caninervis Mitt.)结皮和藻-地衣-藓类混生结皮(Mixed crust)为研究对象,在测定结皮盖度、高度以及粗糙度随沙埋厚度逐渐增加变化的基础上,计算了使结皮盖度(从99.99%)开始降低的初始沙埋厚度(D1)和盖度降低为0%的临界沙埋厚度(D2),研究了该区固沙植被演替过程中结皮盖度对沙埋厚度增加的响应特征及其相关机制。结果显示:(1)4种结皮的盖度随沙埋厚度的增加呈logistic曲线逐渐降低。(2)在同一年代固沙区不同种间比较,混生结皮的D1值最小,D2值最大;真藓结皮的D1和D2值均小于其他两种藓类结皮;土生对齿藓结皮和齿肋赤藓结皮因固沙年限的不同而不同,在1956年固沙区,土生对齿藓结皮齿肋赤藓结皮,而在1973年固沙区和1981年固沙区,齿肋赤藓结皮土生对齿藓结皮。(3)随固沙植被演替,4种结皮盖度随沙埋厚度增加的降低速率逐渐减小,D1和D2值逐渐增大。(4)结皮总盖度随沙埋厚度增加的降低速率逐渐减小,表明随固沙植被演替,结皮对沙埋的抵御能力逐渐增强,固沙区植被系统地表稳定性增加。(5)结皮的粗糙度和高度随固沙植被演替逐渐增加,并显著影响了4种结皮盖度随沙埋厚度增加的降低速率、D1及D2值。研究为全面评估沙埋对沙区结皮结构、功能的影响乃至固沙植被稳定性提供了参考。     

Evolutionary characteristics of the artificially revegetated shrub ecosystem in the Tengger Desert, northern China

The rain-fed sand-binding vegetation which stabilizes the migrating desert dunes in the Shapotou area at the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert was initiated in 1956. The shrubs initially employed were predominantly Caragana korshinskii, Hedysarum scoparium, and Artemisia ordosica, and a desert shrub ecosystem with a dwarf shrub and microbiotic soil crust cover on the stabilized sand dunes has since developed. Since 1956 the success of this effort has not only ensured the smooth operation of the Baotou–Lanzhou railway in the sand dune area 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 infrastructure in the arid desert region of China. Some of the effects of recovery from desertification and ecological restoration on soil properties are shown by the increase in the distribution of fine soil particles, organic matter, and nutrients. The physical surface structure of the stabilized sand dunes, and inorganic soil crusts formed by atmospheric dust, have also led to the gradual formation of microbiotic soil crusts. Sand dune stabilization is associated with: (1) decreased soil particle size, (2) increased total N, (3) increased thickness of microbiotic crusts, (4) increased thickness of subsoil, and (5) an increase in volumetric soil moisture in the near-surface environment. After 17 years of dune stabilization, both the number of shrubs and community biomass decreased. The number of microbes, plant species and vegetation cover, all attained a maximum after the dunes had stabilized for 40 years. There is a significant positive correlation between the fractal dimension of soil particle size distribution (PSD) and the clay content of the shallow soil profile in the desert shrub ecosystem; the longer the period of dune stabilization, the greater the soil clay content in the shallow soil profiles (0–3 cm), and the greater the fractal dimension of soil PSD. This reflects the fact that during the revegetation processes, the soil structure is better developed, especially in the upper profile. Hence, the migrating sand dune becomes more stabilized. Therefore, the fractal model can be used to describe the texture and fertility of the soil, and, along with the degree of stability of the previously migrating sand dunes, can be used as an integrated quantitative index to evaluate the revegetation practice in the sand dune areas and their stabilization.     

Effects of Biological Soil Crusts on Seed Bank, Germination and Establishment of Two Annual Plant Species in the Tengger Desert (N China)

The presence of biological soil crusts can affect the germination and survival of vascular plants, but the reasons are not well investigated. We have conducted a field investigation and greenhouse experiments to test the effect of crusts on two desert annual plants, which occur on the stabilized dunes of the Tengger Desert in N China. The results showed that biological soil crusts negatively influenced the seed bank of Eragrostis poaeoides and Bassia dasyphylla. The important effect of biological soil crusts on seed germination and establishment were performed indirectly through reducing the amount of germinating seeds. Field investigation and experimental results with regard to the seed bank indicated that higher seedling density was found in disturbed crust soil and bare soil surface than in intact crust soils. Greenhouse experiments showed that the effects of biological soil crusts on germination and establishment of the two plants are not obvious in moist condition, while disturbed crusts are more favorable to seed germination in dry treatment. Significant differences in biomass were found between disturbed crust soil and bare soil. Survival and growth of the two annual plants were enhanced in both algal and moss crusts during the season of rainfall or in moist environment, but crusts did not affect seedling survival in the dry period. The small seeded E. poaeoides has higher germination than larger-seeded B. dasyphylla in crust soils, but B. dasyphylla has a relatively higher survival rate than E. poaeoides in crust soils.     

Effect of desert soil algae on the stabilization of fine sands

Four filamentous cyanobacteria, Microcoleusvaginatus, Phormidium tenue,Scytonemajavanicum (Kutz.) and Nostoc sp., and asingle-celled green alga, Desmococcus olivaceus, allisolated from Shapotou (Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China), were batchcultured and inoculated onto unconsolidated sand in greenhouse and fieldexperiments. Their ability to reduce wind erosion in sands was quantified byusing a wind tunnel laboratory. The major factors related to cohesion of algalcrusts, such as biomass, species, species combinations, bioactivity, niche,growth phase of algae, moisture, thickness of the crusts, dust accretion(including dust content and manner of dust added) and other cryptogams(lichens,fungi and mosses) were studied. The best of the five species were M.vaginatus and P. tenue, while the best mix wasablend of 80% M. vaginatus and 5% each of P.tenue,S. javanicum,Nostocsp. and D. olivaceus. The threshold friction velocity wassignificantly increased by the presence of all of the cyanobacterial species,while the threshold impact velocity was notably increased only by thefilamentous species. Thick crusts were less easily eroded than thin crusts,while biomass was more effective than thickness. Dust was incorporated bestintoMicrocoleus crust when added in small amounts over time,and appeared to increase growth of the cyanobacterium as well as strengthen thecohesion of the crust. Microbial crust cohesion was mainly attributed to algalaggregation, while lichens, fungi and mosses affected more the soil structureand physico-chemical properties.     

Hydrotaxis of Cyanobacteria in Desert Crusts

We studied the migration of cyanobacteria in desert crusts from Las Bárdenas Reales (Spain). The crusts were almost exclusively colonized by the filamentous cyanobacterium Oscillatoria, which formed a dense layer approximately 600 µm thick located between 1.5 and 2.1 mm deep. Laboratory and field experiments showed that saturation of the crust with liquid water induced a migration of the cyanobacteria leading to a significant greening of the surface within a few minutes. Under light and rapid evaporation, the green color rapidly disappeared and the crust surface was completely devoid of filaments within 60 min. In contrast, 260 min was required to recover the original white color of the crust when slow evaporation was experimentally imposed. The up and down migration following wetting and drying occurred also in the dark. This demonstrates that light was not a required stimulus. Addition of ATP synthesis inhibitors prevented the cyanobacterium from migrating down into the crust, with filaments remaining on the surface. Therefore, the disappearance of the green color observed during desiccation can only be attributed to an active cyanobacterial motility response to the decrease in the water content. The simplest explanation that can account for the evidence gathered is the presence of a mechanism that links, directly or indirectly, these motility responses to gradients in water content, namely a form of hydrotaxis.     

干旱沙漠区土壤微生物结皮及其对固沙植被影响的研究

在腾格里沙漠东南缘人工固沙植被区,采用已有的数据和长期的定位观测,分析了固沙植被区生物结皮的形成特点及其对植被动态的影响。流沙经过沙障固定和种植植物后,沙土表层形成风积物结皮,再演化成以藻类为优势种的微生物结皮,而这一过程是因沙物质得到固定后,大气降尘和粉粒在沙表层堆积、下沉、再经雨滴的冲击等物理作用和土壤微生物的活动共同作用的结果。在降水不足２００ｍｍ的条件下,结皮的形成改变了土壤水分的传有限,     

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.     

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。     

Seasonality of the red algal crust 'Petrocelis franciscana'(Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) on boulder-strewn shores of southern British Columbia, Canada

The red algal crust,‘Petrocelis franciscana’ Setchell et Gardner [= tetrasporophytic phase of Mastocarpus papillatus (Agardh) Kützing] exists as discrete patches on boulders throughout the intertidal zone at Burrard Inlet in Vancouver (mainland British Columbia) and at Sooke, Vancouver Island (British Columbia). This study photographically quantifies monthly surface area of 60 individual crusts over 12‐ and 18‐month periods, respectively, at the two sites. Conspicuous seasonal fluctuations in ‘Petrocelis’ abundance and relatively low survivorship of crusts sampled suggest that not all crusts are as static and as long‐lived (> 25 years) as previously suggested. Herbivory, sloughing of senescing tissue and abiotic factors visibly reduce ‘Petrocelis’ abundance in fall and winter; regeneration of lost crust tissue and relatively rapid crust growth occur from spring to early fall.     

Competition between the green alga Scenedesmus and the cyanobacterium Synechococcus under different modes of inorganic nitrogen supply

In this study, we evaluated growth responses of the green alga Scenedesmus and the cyanobacterium Synechococcus supplied with inorganic nitrogen in different ways. A competitive situation in which nitrogen was limiting was created in mixed cultures as well as in cultures growing in the same vessel but separated by a permeable dialysis membrane. Supplying inorganic nitrogen in small pulses at a high frequency favoured the cyanobacterium Synechococcus, whereas batch additions favoured the green alga Scenedesmus. When using a large-pulse/low-frequency supply mode, the yield of the green alga was higher when ammonium was added as nitrogen source compared to when nitrate was added. By contrast, the yield of the cyanobacterium was higher in the nitrate regime. However, uptake experiments using unialgal cultures showed that both organisms depleted the medium of ammonium more rapidly than they depleted the medium of nitrate; i.e. the higher yield of the cyanobacterium in the nitrate regime than in the ammonium regime can be attributed to the effects of competition with the green alga. Since nitrate assimilation involves the consumption of reductive power, we suggest that the outcome of competition was governed by the fact that green alga was light limited and therefore better able to compete for ammonium than for nitrate. The results from the laboratory studies are discussed in relation to results from an enclosure experiment performed in Lake Erken, Sweden. In that field experiment, in which additions of both phosphate and ammonium were applied every second day to 350-l enclosures, the green algal biomass increased exponentially during an incubation period of 22 days.     

毛乌素沙地南缘沙丘生物结皮对凝结水形成和蒸发的影响

在水分极度匮乏的荒漠生态系统,凝结水是除降雨之外最重要的水分来源之一,它对荒漠生态系统结构、功能和过程的维持产生重要的影响。为探明半干旱沙区生物结皮表面的凝结水形成和蒸发特征,采用自制的微型蒸渗计(直径7 cm、高5 cm的PVC管)实验观测了不同类型地表(裸沙、浅灰色藻类结皮、黑褐色藻类结皮和苔藓结皮)对凝结水形成和蒸发的影响。结果表明:(1)观测期间共有20次凝结水形成记录,除降雨天气外,几乎每天都能观测到水分凝结现象;(2)不同类型地表凝结水总量依次为(1.998±0.075),(2.326±0.083),(2.790±0.058)和(3.416±0.068) mm,生物结皮表面的凝结水总量显著大于裸沙(P < 0.05);随生物结皮的发育,不同类型生物结皮表面的凝结水总量呈增加的趋势,凝结水总量之间差异显著(P < 0.05);观测期间不同类型地表日平均凝结水量依次为(0.100±0.003),(0.116±0.004),(0.140±0.002)和(0.171± 0.003) mm,不同类型地表日平均凝结水量之间差异极显著(P < 0.01);(3)凝结水形成过程的观测结果显示,凝结水19:00开始形成,23:00-凌晨1:00形成不明显,1:00-7:00继续形成,除浅灰色藻类结皮外,太阳升出后在黑褐色藻类结皮和苔藓结皮表面继续形成少量的凝结水;凝结水7:30开始蒸发,10:30到11:00之间结束蒸发,凝结水在裸沙和浅灰色藻类结皮中的保持时间显著大于黑褐色藻类结皮和苔藓结皮中的保持时间(P < 0.05);(4)凝结水的形成受大气温度、地表温度、空气相对湿度和大气地表温度差等气象因素的影响,但其形成过程不与某一个气象因素呈简单的线性关系。     

具鞘微鞘藻在荒漠藻结皮形成过程中的作用

具鞘微鞘藻(Microcoleus vaginatus)是荒漠藻结皮主要的优势物种,在藻结皮的形成和发育过程中发挥着非常重要的作用。为了探讨具鞘微鞘藻在荒漠藻结皮形成过程中的作用,通过实验室内模拟藻结皮不同发育阶段,研究了具鞘微鞘藻在结皮形成过程中对藻类生物量、结皮厚度及其抗压强度的影响;同时利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对藻结皮微结构观察,分析了不同发育阶段沙粒和具鞘微鞘藻之间的胶结方式和作用机理。结果表明:(1)藻结皮形成的最初阶段,结皮状态主要由细菌及小型蓝绿藻分泌胞外多糖的黏结作用和结皮表面有机质层的保护作用维持,但该阶段的藻结皮比较脆弱,抗压强度仅为(12.21±1.58)Pa;当具鞘微鞘藻大量出现后,逐步占据了明显的优势地位,沙粒间的黏结作用被更高强度的具鞘微鞘藻机械束缚力所取代,成为该阶段藻类结皮硬度提高的重要贡献者;(2)随着具鞘微鞘藻接种比例的逐渐增加,藻结皮中的藻类生物量、结皮厚度及抗压强度均呈现出升高的趋势(P0.01),当接种比例增加为80%时达到最高值;然而,当具鞘微鞘藻接种比例为100%时,各项指标却又有所下降。重点探讨藻结皮不同发育阶段沙粒间的胶结形式及微形态变化,深入揭示具鞘微鞘藻在藻结皮形成和发育过程中的作用机理,为旱生藻类广泛应用于荒漠植被恢复与重建过程提供重要的试验数据和理论依据。     

Discovery of the mineral brucite (magnesium hydroxide) in the tropical calcifying alga Polystrata dura (Peyssonneliales,Rhodophyta)

Red algae of the family Peyssonneliaceae typically form thin crusts impregnated with aragonite. Here, we report the first discovery of brucite in a thick red algal crust (~1 cm) formed by the peyssonnelioid species Polystrata dura from Papua New Guinea. Cells of P. dura were found to be infilled by the magnesium‐rich mineral brucite [Mg(OH)₂]; minor amounts of magnesite and calcite were also detected. We propose that cell infill may be associated with the development of thick (> ~5 mm) calcified red algal crusts, integral components of tropical biotic reefs. If brucite infill within the P. dura crust enhances resistance to dissolution similarly to crustose coralline algae that infill with dolomite, then these crusts would be more resilient to future ocean acidification than crusts without infill.     

生物土壤结皮对荒漠土壤线虫群落的影响

在干旱的沙漠生态系统中,生物土壤结皮对于沙丘的固定和土壤生物的维持起着相当重要的作用.土壤线虫能敏感的指示土壤的恢复程度,是衡量沙区生态恢复与健康的重要生物学属性,而目前关于生物土壤结皮与土壤线虫的关系研究很少.为探明生物土壤结皮对土壤线虫的影响,以腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工植被固沙区藻结皮和藓类结皮覆盖的沙丘土壤为研究对象,根据固沙年限的不同将样地分为4个不同的区进行采样(1956、1964、1981和1991年固沙区),以流沙区作为对照;同时,在不同季度(4、7、9和12月)分别采集腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工植被固沙区藻结皮和藓类结皮覆盖下不同土层(0-10、10-20和20-30 cm)的沙丘土壤,以沙坡头地区的红卫天然植被区为对照,分析生物土壤结皮下土壤线虫的时空变化.采用改良的Baermann漏斗法进行分离线虫,用光学显微镜鉴定并统计.研究表明:1956、1964、1981和1991年人工植被固沙区的藻结皮和藓类结皮均可显著提高其下土壤线虫多度、属的丰富度、Shannon-Weaver多样性指数、富集指数和结构指数(P＜0.05),这可能是因为生物土壤结皮的存在为土壤线虫提供了重要的食物来源和适宜的生存环境;固沙年限与结皮下土壤线虫多度、属的丰富度、Shannon-Weaver多样性指数、富集指数和结构指数存在显著的正相关关系(P＜0.05),这说明固沙年限越久,越有利于土壤线虫的生存和繁衍;结皮类型显著影响土壤线虫群落,相对于藻结皮而言,藓类结皮下土壤线虫多度与属的丰富度更高(P＜0.05),这说明演替后期的藓类结皮比演替早期的藻结皮更有利于土壤线虫的生存和繁衍.此外,藻结皮和藓类结皮均可显著增加其下0-10、10-20和20-30 cm土层线虫多度和属的丰富度(P＜0.05),但随着土壤深度的增加,这种影响逐渐减弱,表明生物土壤结皮更有利于表层土壤线虫的生存;而且,随着季节的变化,藻结皮和藓类结皮下土壤线虫多度基本表现为秋季＞夏季＞春季＞冬季,这些反映了生物土壤结皮的生物量、盖度和种类组成随着季节变化而变化.因此,腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工植被固沙区生物土壤结皮的存在与演替有利于土壤线虫的生存和繁衍,增加了线虫数量、种类和多样性,这指示了生物土壤结皮有利于该区土壤及其相应生态系统的恢复.     

Structure and Reactivity of a Biological Soil Crust from a Xeric Sandy Soil in Central Europe

The investigation was designed to explore the structure, composition, and activity of a biological soil crust on an acidic, sandy soil from a temperate climate. The crust covers several hundreds of square meters on the hilltop of a large terminal moraine. The conjugate alga Zygogonium ericetorum forms the essential matrix for the crust, a dense web of algal filaments with interspersed lichens and mosses. The crust is composed of three layers, with an uppermost layer consisting nearly entirely of a dense algal mat. In lower layers, a parasitic fungus, penetrating the algal cells, is another important component of the crust community. In this soil crust, photosynthetic and respiratory activity is stabilized at low water activities.     

Phototrophic biodeteriogens on lithoid surfaces: An ecological study

For two strains, the green alga Pleurococcus CVB4 and the cyanobacterium Lyngbya CCB2, isolated from the pioneering algal biocoenosis present on a marble statue, we determined the optimum range of growth in selective cultural media in relation to pH, light intensity, and temperature, together with the ability of these organisms to colonize stone surfaces that differed either in the structure-texture or in the physico-chemical composition of the various lithotypes. The results showed a higher capacity of the green alga to withstand environmental factor changes. For both organisms the preferential colonization of the stone surface was correlated primarily, together with the environmental factors (pH, temperature, irradiance), to the physical characteristics (roughness and porosity) and secondarily to the chemical composition of the assayed lithotypes.     

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。     

半荒漠藻结皮中藻类的种类组成和分布

对宁夏沙坡头半荒漠藻结皮中22种藻(其中蓝藻10种,绿藻4种,硅藻6种,裸藻2种)进行了分离、鉴定;利用土壤磨片和电子探针揭示了藻体与基质间的结合方式;通过光镜、扫描电镜观察,从8个层次研究了藻类在结皮中的分布,并发现它们在微米间也呈"层片"分布规律,藻结皮由表及里依次为无机矿物质保护层(ca.0.02mm)、富藻层(ca.0.02～2.5mm)及疏藻层(2.5～5.0mm);藻丝通过胶鞘中多糖、蛋白质与粘土矿物质直接结合,或直接伸入矿物质内而网络、粘结着砂粒和土粒.     

Screening of algal strains for metal removal capabilities

Eight algal species were tested for their ability to remove five toxic metalsduring 30-min exposures to single-metal (1 mg L^-1) solutions at pH7. Efficacy of metal bioremoval varied according to algal species and metal. Al⁺³ was best removed by the thermophilic blue-green alga(cyanobacterium) Mastigocladus laminosus, Hg⁺² and Zn⁺² by the thermophilic and acidophilic red alga Cyanidiumcaldarium, and Cd⁺² by C. caldarium and the green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda. All of these alga/metal combinations resultedin >90% metal removal. However, none of the eight algal speciesremoved more than 10% of Cr⁺⁶. Results indicate that some toxicmetals are more readily removed than others are by algae and that selectionof appropriate strains could potentially enhance bioremoval of specificmetals from wastewater at neutral pH.