Effects of climate change and land use intensification on regional biological soil crust cover and composition in southern Africa

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) form a regular and relevant feature in drylands, as they stabilize the soil, fix nutrients, influence water cycling. However, biocrust forming organisms have been shown to be dramatically vulnerable climate land use change occurring these regions. In this study, we used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data of biocrust-dominated pixels (NDVIbiocrust) obtained from hyperspectral LANDSAT-7 analyse development over time forecast future NDVIbiocrust under different livestock density scenarios southern Africa. We validated results by analysing occurrence composition biocrusts along mesoclimatic gradient within study region. Our show that NDVIbiocrust, which reached maximum values 0.2 0.4 drier wetter years, respectively, mainly depended on availability. A predicted decrease rainfall events according all combined with increased temperatures suggested pronounced end 21st century caused reduced coverage. Livestock trampling had similar effects exacerbated negative impacts coverage composition. Data assessed field concurred results, cover shift well-developed early stages were observed decreasing precipitation increasing density. demonstrates suitability multi-temporal series historical satellite images high-resolution mapping Earth system models identify patterns their vegetation at regional scales.