Authors:
Bowker, M.A., M.E. Miller, J. Belnap, T.D. Sisk and N.C. Johnson
Publication Date:
2008
Abstract/Summary:
Conservation prioritization usually focuses on conservation of rare species or biodiversity, rather than ecological processes. This is partially due to a lack of informative indicators of ecosystem function. Biological soil crusts (BSCs) trap and retain soil and water resources in arid ecosystems and function as major carbon and nitrogen fixers; thus, they may be informative indicators of ecosystem function. We believe BSCs can be used as indicators of ecosystem function in concert with other indicators (such as plant-community properties) and that such information can be used to prioritize conservation effort in drylands.
Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article
Source:
Conservation Biology
Link:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01036.x/abstract