About This Project

Desert mosses live closely with lichens and other microorganisms, together performing vital ecosystem services. However, their associated microbe and microfauna communities are not fully characterized. We will test the hypotheses that (1) moss-associated BSCs harbor distinct microfauna and microbiome communities relative to crusts lacking moss, and (2) that their microbiomes have enhanced functional potential for plant stress mitigation.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Drylands cover about one-third of the United States and represent important ecological and economic resources [1]. Within these ecosystems, desert mosses are key components of biological soil crusts (BSCs)—thin, soil surface layers of bryophytes, lichens, and microorganisms that contribute to soil stability, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling [2,3]. Occupying interspaces between larger plants, these “tiny heroes” form a critical, but often overlooked, component of these ecosystems. While BSCs are well studied as functional units, roles of individual community members within BSCs are poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests microbial symbionts may contribute to stress tolerance in BSC mosses [4,5]. BSCs may also support insect biodiversity, but this relationship is understudied in California deserts [6]. We hypothesize that moss-associated BSCs harbor microbiomes enriched for stress mitigation and that BSC cover is positively associated with arthropod diversity.

What is the significance of this project?

BSCs are a vital component of drylands and persist under extreme fluctuations in light, temperature, and water availability [1]. They also support biodiversity by providing habitat and resources for micro- and macroinvertebrates [2,3]. However, interactions within BSCs and their symbiotic partners—including microbes and arthropods—remain poorly understood. Differences in BSC successional stages are associated with distinct biochemical activity and microbial composition [4], suggesting important but unresolved functional relationships. Microarthropods, many of which remain undescribed, are known to assemble in well-developed BSCs [5], indicating potential links between microbial and arthropod diversity. This work will provide foundational insight into multi-trophic interactions in BSCs, supporting future efforts to predict dryland ecosystem function and resilience under environmental change.

What are the goals of the project?

The goal of this project is to profile the microbiome of moss and non-moss BSC's across three California deserts, and record BSC associated insect activity at each site. We will collect 24 paired moss/non-moss crusts from each site and sample insects (micro and macro arthropods) at each site while estimating moss coverage of the larger site area. Larger vegetation, animals, insects and cryptogams will be documented on an iNaturalist project to gain an ecological profile of each site. A dataset generated by this project would provide meaningful insight into functional genes within BSC microbiomes and their potential implications for stress mitigation in extreme environments. Additionally, insect-BSC interactions are understudied in this area and documentation of arthropods associated with BSC's would contribute towards the growing body of research in this topic. Datasets will be shared openly to support the California All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (CalATBI).