Insights into variations of seasonal and daily soil temperatures under the effect of biocrusts in central-western Argentina

NAVAS ROMERO, ANA L.; HERRERA MORATTA, MARIO A.; MARTINEZ CARRETERO, EDUARDO; VENTO BARBARA; FERNADEZ BELMONTE CECILIA

Acta Botanica Mexicana

Instituto de Ecología

Año: 2023

Biocrusts play an essential role on the earth´s surface and have a direct influence on soil parameters. Their effects on soil temperature are considered one of the most important because they affect ecological and hydrological processes as well as the diversity of natural ecosystems. Although there are several studies concerning biocrust effects on the soil surface, investigations about the effect of biocrust on soil temperature are still scarce. In this study, we evaluate the influence of biocrusts on soil temperature conditions in drylands of central-western Argentina. Temperature values were recorded in semi-arid, arid, and hyper-arid sites during the dry and wet seasons. We recorded temperatures in two paired plots with crusted and uncrusted zones. Our results indicated that biocrusts produced a positive effect on micro-environmental conditions as they diminished soil temperatures. Areas in which biocrusts were present showed a considerable temperature reduction both in the wet and dry seasons. This effect was observed in the three studied sites. Temperature reduction during daily time ranged between 5 °C and 20 °C depending on the study site and the season.