Authors:
Bashan, Y. and L.E. de Bashan
Publication Date:
2010
Abstract/Summary:
The rapid expansion of deserts in recent decades as a result of human actions combined with climatic disasters has highlighted the necessity to understand biological processes in arid environments. Whereas physical processes and the biology of flora and fauna have been relatively well studied in marginally used arid areas, knowledge of desert soil micro-organisms remains fragmentary. This chapter describes several biological phenomena in hot deserts related to microbial populations and the potential use of micro-organisms for restoring hot desert environments. A few relevant examples from colder deserts are also provided.
Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article
Source:
Soil Biology
Link:
http://www.bashanfoundation.org/gmaweb/pdfs/soilmicrobiology.pdf