Cyanobacteria in biological soil crusts, Earth´s Most Extensive Biofilms: adaptation and sensitivity to global warming

Abstract

Biological soil crusts from arid lands are extensive but little known microbial ecosystems where primary productivity is driven by cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and mosses, and which are subject to a variety of environmental extremes. I will review the basic ecology of cyanobacteria in biocrusts, focusing then on an evaluation of adaptive strategies that allow them to thrive. I will also review recent results that imply that these communities are sensitive to predicted changes in temperature driven by global change.