Biological Soil Crusts in Agroecosystems

Kira Sorochkina, Clayton J. Nevins, Patrick W. Inglett, and Sarah L. Strauss

Release Date: 10/3/2023

Reviewed At: 7/10/2023

DOI: 10.32473/edis-ss719-2023

Natural Resources

Abstract

Biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, are communities of microorganisms that form on the surface of soils, often found in deserts around the world. However, they can also occur in agroecosystems and potentially contribute nutrients to plants growing nearby. This publication is for those interested in learning more about what biocrusts look like and how they can impact agricultural soils.

About this Publication

This document is SL506, one of a series of the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Kira Sorochkina, former graduate student; Clayton Nevins, former graduate student, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center; Patrick Inglett, professor, UF/IFAS; and Sarah Strauss, associate professor, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, 32611.

How to Cite

Sorochkina, K., Nevins, C. J., Inglett, P. W., & Strauss, S. L. (2023). Biological Soil Crusts in Agroecosystems. EDIS, 2023(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ss719-2023

Authors

Kira Sorochkina

former graduate student, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL

Clayton Nevins

external

University of Florida

former graduate research assistant, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL

View Clayton Nevins's Profile

Patrick Inglett

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, biogeochemistry, UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Gainesville, FL

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Sarah Strauss

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

associate professor, soil microbiology, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL

View Sarah Strauss's Profile

Publication #SL506