The role of mosses and lichens crusts on soil characteristics of pediment at protected area of Takhte-Soltan, Khorasan-Razavi

Biological soil crusts are communities composed complex species of algae, fungi, cyanobacteria, lichens, fungi and bryophytes and soil particles associated with them. In this research, the effect of moss and lichen on soil physicochemical parameters in arid and semi-arid region of Takhte-Sultan in Khorasan-Razavi has been investigated. Samples were collected in summer along a linear transect by using 50 x 50cm quadrates. All soil samples were taken in 3 replicates from the 0-5Cm and 5-20 Cm. So, 60 samples were taken to compare lichen and moss crusts effects on the soil physicochemical properties. The results of analysis of variance and Tukey test showed that the presence of bio-crusts have affected the soil parameters. Including by decreasing pH and EC in soils without crusts and increasing organic carbon and calcium carbonate in the presence of moss and lichen at 0-5 cm depth. As a result, there is a significant difference in the physicochemical parameters of soil in the presence or absence of moss and lichen crusts in the desert landscape.