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A role for nonvascular plants in management of arid and semiarid rangelands

  • Chapter
Vegetation science applications for rangeland analysis and management

Part of the book series: Handbook of vegetation science ((HAVS,volume 14))

Abstract

Blue-green algae, lichens and mosses are common features on soil surfaces of arid and semiarid rangelands worldwide. Such plants often cover as much or more of the soil surface as vascular plants and make useful contributions to arid and semiarid ecosystems via enhanced soil stability against wind and water erosion and greater availability of nitrogen. In some situations, cryptogamic plants roughen soil surfaces and increase water retention and eventual infiltration. Situations are documented in which cryptogamic covers (particularly those with blue-green algae) have improved establishment and growth of vascular plant seedlings. Responses of various cryptogamic species to a broad array of environmental challenges are discussed. Evidence is presented that cryptogamic plants complement the effects of vascular plants relative to soil stability and water infiltration. It is suggested that cryptogamic cover usually does not develop at the expense of higher plant cover. Data indicate that some range management practices are damaging to cryptogamic plants, while others permit those plants (particularly blue-green algae) to persist in the ecosystem. It is recommended that future management practices on arid rangelands be designed to retain at least blue-green algae and lichens having blue-green phycobionts in the system.

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Authors
  1. Kimball T. Harper
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  2. James R. Marble
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Range, Wildlife and Forestry, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, Nevada, 89512, USA

    P. T. Tueller (Professor of Range Ecology) (Professor of Range Ecology)

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© 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London

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Harper, K.T., Marble, J.R. (1988). A role for nonvascular plants in management of arid and semiarid rangelands. In: Tueller, P.T. (eds) Vegetation science applications for rangeland analysis and management. Handbook of vegetation science, vol 14. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3085-8_7

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