{"product_id":"9783319302126","title":"Biological Soil Crusts: An Organizing Principle in Drylands","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEcological Studies\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch1\u003eBiological Soil Crusts: An Organizing Principle in Drylands\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBettina Weber | Burkhard Büdel | Jayne Belnap\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eScience \/ Life Sciences \/ Ecology\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis volume summarizes our current\r\nunderstanding of biological soil crusts (biocrusts), which are omnipresent in\r\ndryland regions. Since they cover the soil surface, they influence, or even\r\ncontrol, all surface exchange processes. Being one of the oldest terrestrial\r\ncommunities, biocrusts comprise a high diversity of cyanobacteria, algae,\r\nlichens and bryophytes together with uncounted bacteria, and fungi. The authors\r\nshow that biocrusts are an integral part of dryland ecosystems, stabilizing\r\nsoils, influencing plant germination and growth, and playing a key role in\r\ncarbon, nitrogen and water cycling. Initial attempts have been made to use\r\nbiocrusts as models in ecological theory. On the other hand, biocrusts are endangered\r\nby local disruptions and global change, highlighting the need for enhanced\r\nrecovery methods. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the fascinating\r\nfield of biocrust research, making it indispensable not only for scientists in\r\nthis area, but also for land managers, policy makers, and anyone interested in\r\nthe environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e27 May 2016\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpringer International Publishing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpringer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9783319302126\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e549\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Springer International Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49937226989708,"sku":"9783319302126","price":269.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9783319302126.jpg?v=1782992093","url":"https:\/\/fh90cf-fv.myshopify.com\/products\/9783319302126","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}