Journal of Arid Environments最新文献

{"title":"Shrub canopy effects on moss biocrust, soil properties, and microbiomes in a semi-arid ecosystem: Implications for ecosystem function and sustainability","authors":"Chang Tian ,&nbsp;Chongfeng Bu ,&nbsp;Shufang Wu ,&nbsp;Kadambot H.M. Siddique ,&nbsp;Yahong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Shrubs play a pivotal role in shaping the growth and dynamics of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) in arid and semi-arid regions through various biotic and abiotic mechanisms. Biocrusts, in turn, significantly influence soil microbiomes. However, the precise effects of shrubs on soil microbial communities within biocrusts remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the bacterial and fungal communities within moss biocrusts situated beneath and between two predominant shrub species (<em>Artemisia ordosica</em> and <em>Salix psammophila</em>) in the Mu Us Sandland, China, using high-throughput sequencing and random matrix theory (RMT) through a network-based approach. Our findings revealed that shrub species and their canopy affect moss biocrust growth, soil properties, and microbial communities. Shrub species significantly affected moss biocrust thickness, soil water content (SWC), total phosphorus (TP), fungal community composition (e.g., Ascomycota) and structure, and microbial network structure. Moss biocrusts beneath and between shrubs differed in coverage, SWC, soil nutrients (e.g., TP, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total nitrogen (TN)), and microbial community composition (e.g., Actinobacteria), structure, and network attributes. Structural equation modeling (SEM) further validated that the canopy-induced changes in microbial community composition primarily stemmed from negative effects on the soil nutrient index (path coefficient = −0.709) and positive effects on SWC (path coefficient = 0.996). Overall, our findings suggest that shrub encroachment initiates a feedback loop favoring shrub establishment and growth at the expense of biocrusts, potentially reducing the capacity of biocrust ecosystems to sequester carbon, with far-reaching implications for ecosystem functionality and sustainability in water-limited regions. While shrub canopy strongly affects microbial community composition within biocrusts, its indirect effects are mediated predominantly through changes in soil properties, offering valuable insights into the intricate associations between soil microbes and shrublands within semi-arid ecosystems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141089862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population trends in an endemic dwarf succulent over two decades: rainfall, elevation, microsite and landuse effects","authors":"S.J. Milton ,&nbsp;C. Clark ,&nbsp;C.R. Hundermark ,&nbsp;C. Hurt ,&nbsp;H. Van der Merwe","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Bijlia dilatata</em> (Prince Albert Vygie) is a red-listed succulent (Aizoaceae) endemic to a single valley in the Western Cape and restricted to disjunct sites in quartzite pavements. Populations of this species were surveyed in 2002 during above-average rainfall and again in 2020 and 2021 during drought, and in June 2023 following drought-breaking rains. We found that populations declined over the two low-rainfall decades, that declines differed significantly among sites, that mortality was greater among smaller plants and that recruitment had failed. Our hypothesis that elevation provides a refuge from heat-induced mortality was supported by data that showed decreasing population decline along a 300 m elevation gradient. Factors significantly influencing population structure included landuse (grazing intensity), microsites and initial population density. Shaded microsites beneath living shrubs and adjacent to large rocks were significantly cooler and stayed moister longer after rain and <em>B. dilatata</em> plants in such microsites were larger than those in open sites or beneath dead shrubs. Grazing and climate change, including reduced winter rainfall, and increased ambient and soil surface temperatures, appear to be contributing to declines in endemic, habitat specialist dwarf succulents already threatened by land transformation and poaching in the biodiverse, Succulent Karoo region of South Africa.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141078364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The endangered Arabian tahr observed drinking seawater in Oman","authors":"Taimur Alsaid ,&nbsp;Mohammed Alsinani ,&nbsp;Steven Ross","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Consumption of seawater is rare among mammals. Following a local report of Arabian tahr drinking seawater, we collected camera trapping data to confirm and measure the frequency of seawater consumption by Arabian tahr. Based on herbivores’ seasonal deficiencies in sodium and other minerals and the infrequency of seawater consumption by Arabian tahr, we postulate the species uses seawater as a mineral supplement, similar to a terrestrial salt lick. As some countries protect salt licks as critical habitat features, we believe these areas where Arabian tahr can access the seashore should be similarly protected to help maintain behaviours that may contribute towards the fitness of this Endangered species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141072631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of water stress on locomotor performance in Pleurodema nebulosum (Anura: Leptodactylidae) a native frog from the Argentina Monte desert","authors":"Roberto Emanuel Ontivero ,&nbsp;Lorena Beatriz Quiroga ,&nbsp;César Yamil Rodríguez ,&nbsp;Daniel Bustos ,&nbsp;Eduardo Alfredo Sanabria","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105190","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Locomotion is a fundamental aspect in the life cycle of any organism, and plays a crucial role in survival, feeding, escaping from predators, territoriality, and reproduction. Locomotion in amphibian anurans includes swimming, walking, jumping, climbing, and gliding. Amphibians living in arid regions face a constant compromise between hydration balance and locomotor performance. We studied the effects of water stress on the locomotion of the frog <em>Pleurodema nebulosum</em>, a specialist from the Monte Desert. Locomotor performance was measured through different physical variables during the jump. The locomotor performance of <em>P. nebulosum</em> showed a significant decrease in the magnitudes associated with a decrease in body hydration. Our study demonstrated how a desert-adapted frog (<em>P. nebulosum</em>) showed changes in locomotion related to the loss of body water. Additionally, we observed an abrupt drop in locomotion with 15% desiccation, followed by a plateau where the evaluated parameters remained stable. <em>Pleuroderma nebulosum</em> showed a clear adaptation to extreme desiccation. The frogs are rarely found in optimal hydration conditions as the environment in which they develop is extremely stressful from a water perspective. The data evaluated here are the beginning of a deeper exploration of the desert adaptations of South American desert frogs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141067238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Natural and human-related drivers affect belowground biomass and nutrients in a Caatinga dry forest","authors":"Artur G.S. Menezes ,&nbsp;Bruno K.C. Filgueiras ,&nbsp;Carolina S.G. Silva ,&nbsp;Silvia R.M. Lins ,&nbsp;Marcelo Tabarelli","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105180","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Belowground biomass represents a significant carbon reserve with a crucial role in terms of ecosystem functioning, but very little is known about root systems across tropical dry forests. Here we investigate patterns of root biomass, nutrient concentration/stocks, and the effect of aboveground biomass, chronic anthropogenic disturbance, precipitation, and soil depth as their potential drivers in a Caatinga dry forest, northeastern Brazil. Belowground biomass was obtained by a destructive method from July 2020 to March 2021 across forest stands in three 0.49-m² and 1-m deep trenches per stand. Root biomass ranged from 3.23 Mg ha⁻¹ to 29.6 Mg ha⁻¹, accounting for less than 1/3 of total forest biomass. Belowground biomass greatly varied across forest stands mainly represented by large roots concentrated in the superficial soil layer. In general, nutrient concentrations and stocks did not vary significantly across forest stands regarding both root size class and soil depth, although fine roots support a higher concentration of P than large-sized roots. Finally, chronic disturbance, aboveground biomass, precipitation, and soil depth were important predictors affecting root biomass and nutrients. Our results suggest that a combination of natural and human-related drivers modulate root biomass and nutrients in Caatinga dry forests immersed in human-modified landscapes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141067237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing soil productivity potential in arid region using remote sensing vegetation indices","authors":"Mohamed E. Fadl ,&nbsp;Mohamed A. E. AbdelRahman ,&nbsp;Ahmed I. El-Desoky ,&nbsp;Yasser A. Sayed","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Remote sensing techniques offer practical benefits, particularly in sensitive ecosystems or areas with limited accessibility. However, field surveys allow for more accurate and detailed information about soil properties and productivity. Therefore, it is often recommended to combine remote sensing techniques with field surveys in order to obtain comprehensive and reliable results. The underlying basis of this study involves analyzing vegetation indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), as indicators of soil productivity. By utilizing biomass density as an additional indicator, the study aims to provide valuable insights into the productivity potential of agricultural areas. The results demonstrate a positive association between the Soil Productivity Rating (SPR) and wheat yield values for the year 2022, as evidenced by a coefficient of determination (r²) value of 0.8214. This value indicates a moderately strong correlation between the SPR classes and wheat yields. Throughout the Ripening period, the NDVI and EVI indices exhibited a relatively strong correlation coefficient (r² = 0.987 and 0.873, respectively). On the other hand, the SAVI index displayed moderate to strong accuracy in estimating crop yield, with a coefficient of determination (r²) ranging from 0.819 to 0.908. These results suggest that the NDVI index serves as the most dependable predictor of yield during all vegetation periods. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of soil productivity, but further research using controlled trial patterns with differential reference plants is needed for validation and improvement.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140914302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ants of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in arid Australia: Diversity, faunistic composition and habitat associations","authors":"Alan N. Andersen ,&nbsp;Jodie Hayward ,&nbsp;François Brassard","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Inland Australia supports by far the world's most diverse arid-adapted ant fauna, but there are no published studies of regional ant faunas from the central arid zone. Here we describe the ants collected by pitfall trapping at 22 sites in World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (300 mm mean annual rainfall), representing all major vegetation types from spinifex grasslands to eucalypt woodlands. A total of 154 (mostly undescribed) ant species from 26 genera were recorded, with the richest genera being <em>Melophorus</em> (30 species), <em>Monomorium</em> (26), <em>Iridomyrmex</em> (18) and <em>Camponotus</em> (12). The pattern of species accumulation suggests that many more species remain to be collected from the Park, and we estimate that the total fauna consists of around 300 species. The most abundant ants were species of <em>Iridomyrmex</em> (collectively contributing 76% of all ants collected), as is the case throughout arid Australia. Species of <em>Monomorium</em> and <em>Melophorus</em> were also highly abundant. No exotic species were recorded. Ant species composition was strongly related to vegetation type, with a particular distinction between the various grasslands on one hand, and woodlands on the other. Unexpectedly, species richness was higher in structurally simple spinifex grasslands than in eucalypt woodlands. The woodland fauna lacks many taxa characteristic of such habitats in similarly arid regions of southern Australia, which we attribute to remoteness and small patch size. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park supports an extremely diverse ant fauna, but surveys of other areas are required for an improved understanding of patterns of ant biodiversity in Australia's central arid zone.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196324000582/pdfft?md5=6d7d3cefbdbd1b0db836aadcce3485d2&pid=1-s2.0-S0140196324000582-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140843079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Historical biogeography of the Saharan horned viper enlightens past dynamics of hyperarid desert habitats","authors":"André Vicente Liz ,&nbsp;Gabriel Mochales-Riaño ,&nbsp;Guillermo Velo-Antón ,&nbsp;Luis García-Cardenete ,&nbsp;José Carlos Brito ,&nbsp;Salvador Carranza ,&nbsp;Fernando Martínez-Freiría","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hyperarid habitats comprise the most dominant and harsh portion of the Sahara Desert, yet how local biotas have responded to paleoclimatic shifts and landscape heterogeneity remains unclear. Here, we assess the historical biogeography of <em>Cerastes cerastes</em>, a conspicuous but poorly known vertebrate inhabiting the hyperarid Sahara, to understand the links between intermittent and stable climatic suitability and patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation in these extreme environments. We combine phylogeographic and ecological modelling tools using a comprehensive species dataset, which includes DNA samples (n = 62) and occurrence records (n = 557) covering most of its range. We show that paleoclimatic oscillations were major evolutionary and biogeographic drivers in <em>C. cerastes</em>, which exhibits different levels of intra-specific diversity and allopatric lineage structuration across the desert. High lineage richness in the north-western Sahara contrasts with an overall lack of genetic diversity throughout the central and eastern Sahara. Climatic refugia along the desert's periphery and around mountain patches harbour single endemic lineages, stressing the links between stable climatic conditions and population isolation and divergence. Increasing climatic suitability during historical arid phases prompted widespread connectivity across the desert. This study lays the groundwork for better understanding the historical dynamics of the hyperarid Sahara.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014019632400051X/pdfft?md5=cd9c8c483d6ef58486a98b2d6ec7b03d&pid=1-s2.0-S014019632400051X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140843115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnobotany of Moringa stenopetala: A case study from Derashe and Konso ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia","authors":"Berhane Kidane,&nbsp;Zewdu Yilma,&nbsp;Abeje Eshete","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Moringa stenopetala, an important vegetable tree locally called “Haleko” in Derashe and “Shelagda” in Konso area, is cultivated and managed mainly for its edible leaves and for various other purposes in the southern part of Ethiopia. The study explored Ethnobotanical knowledge of the local communities in Konso and Derashe districts. Data were collected using household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview. A total of 180 households were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions were also conducted involving both men and women. The result showed that <em>M. stenopetala</em> (Haleko) is an important component of the daily dish of the study ethnic groups and used for medicinal purposes. Farmers in both ethnic groups propagate <em>M. stenopetala</em> using its seeds and cuttings. The studied ethnic groups plant the species in home gardens and their crop fields. Farmers produce and use succulent leaves for preparation of local dish. They also practice pollarding of <em>M. stenopetala</em> tree at about 2.30 m to avoid bird resting on the trees and damage their crops. The study also recommends further promotion of the species to other areas with similar agroecology, and propagation techniques research to investigate the optimum cutting height, age and season.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140843116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temporal beta diversity and plant metacommunity structure dynamics over a 43-year period in an inter-tropical mexican arid region","authors":"Monserrat Jiménez ,&nbsp;José Alejandro Zavala-Hurtado ,&nbsp;Ernesto Vega ,&nbsp;María Márquez-Haro","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Understanding the dynamics of metacommunity structure and temporal beta diversity is vital for comprehending ecological dynamics at local and regional scales; it is essential to evaluate impacts of factors such as climate change, dispersal, and biotic interactions. We examined changes in the composition and abundance of 199 perennial plant species in the semiarid Zapotitlán Valley, Mexico, over a 43-year period. We studied three local community types, scrubland, cardonal, and tetechera, with surveys conducted in 1980, 2003, 2018, and 2023. Shifts in species composition and abundance over time were analysed using the Temporal Beta Diversity Index distinguishing between species gains or losses. We investigated the metacommunity structure elements—coherence, turnover, and boundary clumping—in each survey. We observed pronounced temporal changes in species’ composition and abundance across all community types. These temporal changes stem from the losses and gains in species and individuals. Notably, 2023 showed significant losses in species occurrence and abundance, potentially attributable to an extended drought likely exacerbated by climate change. Surprisingly, the metacommunity structure remained Clementsian throughout our study, emphasising the stability of the cardonal in maintaining distinctions between local community types. This suggests that the metacommunity spatial structure is resistant to changes in local community compositions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140823901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}