Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are unique communities of diminutive organisms such as cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, mosses and other organisms that have a close relationship with particles of surface soil, which are widespread in arid desert regions and strongly influence terrestrial ecosystems. The role of BSCs on soil physics, chemical properties and soil eco-hydrological processes will be discussed in this presentation as well as the potential contribution on desert system restoration.
Professor Dr. Li Xinrong (*1966 in Gansu, China) studied forestry, forest ecology and biology in Yangling and Moscow. He is director of the Laboratory of Ecology and Agriculture, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Currently, Professor Dr. Li Xinrong is Fellow of the Alfried Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg Greifswald.
Moderation: Professor Dr. Martin Schnittler