MSB_2024v15n4

Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 193-204 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 200 were collected in meteorological stations at 3 060 and 4 090 masl. Soil samples were collected at each station from the uppermost 10 cm for soil chemical analysis and ~100 g from 5 to 10 cm deep from bare soil and from root-zone soil for microbiome analysis. Plant tissue samples of 32 species were collected and snap-frozen on site. Plant species richness and soil coverage were recorded at the TLT sites to assess plant diversity. (C and D) Sample processing and analyses. Environmental characterization was constructed using meteorological data and soluble soil fraction and elemental analysis data. Total DNA was extracted from soil samples and the 16S ribosomal and nifH gene barcodes were amplified and sequenced for TLT soil microbiome characterization. Plant RNA was extracted from the frozen samples, libraries were prepared and sequenced, and transcriptomic and phylogenomic analyses were performed (Adopted from Eshel et al., 2021) 8.3 Conservation efforts and sustainable practices Conservation efforts and sustainable practices are essential to mitigate the negative impacts of human activities on desert food chains. Sustainable grazing land management (SGLM) practices, for instance, can prevent land degradation and support ecosystem services by improving soil quality and vegetation cover, and reducing animal pressure (Díaz-Pereira et al., 2020). In the Tarim River Basin, increased humidity and sustainable land management practices have improved desert riparian ecosystems, highlighting the importance of moisture in driving ecosystem patterns (Guo et al., 2023). Furthermore, the implementation of protected areas and investment in agricultural science and technology can enhance the sustainable use of ecosystem services in desert regions (Fu et al., 2017). 9 Climate Change and Desert Ecosystems 9.1 Predicted impacts of global warming on arid regions Global warming is expected to have profound impacts on arid regions, primarily through increased aridity and altered precipitation patterns. Research indicates that rising temperatures coupled with reduced rainfall will exacerbate desertification processes, leading to significant ecological shifts. For instance, Berdugo et al. (2020) highlight that increasing aridity promotes abrupt and systemic changes in dryland ecosystems, affecting plant productivity, soil fertility, and species richness. They predict that more than 20% of the terrestrial surface will cross critical aridity thresholds by 2100, potentially leading to widespread land degradation and desertification. Additionally, long-term studies in the Tengger Desert have shown that even modest increases in temperature and reductions in precipitation can significantly reduce the cover and biomass of key biotic components like mosses, which are crucial for maintaining soil stability and carbon uptake (Li et al., 2021). 9.2 Changes in species distribution and behavior Climate change is also expected to alter the distribution and behavior of species within desert ecosystems. As aridity increases, species that are less tolerant to dry conditions may decline or migrate to more hospitable areas, while more drought-resistant species may become more dominant. For example, in biocrust communities, mosses have shown a significant decline in cover and biomass under warming and drought conditions, whereas lichens have remained relatively unaffected. This shift could lead to changes in the overall functionality of these communities, as mosses play a critical role in carbon uptake and soil stabilization (Li et al., 2021). Furthermore, the alteration of plant community composition, such as shrub encroachment and decreased vegetation cover, is a common response to desertification, driven by both climatic and land-use changes (D’Odorico et al., 2013). 9.3 Adaptive responses and resilience of desert food chains Despite the challenges posed by climate change, desert ecosystems exhibit various adaptive responses that contribute to their resilience. Some species and communities have developed mechanisms to cope with increased aridity and reduced water availability. For instance, lichens in biocrust communities have shown resilience to warming and drought conditions, maintaining their cover and biomass and thus supporting the multifunctionality of these ecosystems (Li et al., 2021). Additionally, early warning signs of desertification, such as changes in vegetation cover and soil properties, can serve as indicators of resilience loss, allowing for timely intervention and management strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change (D’Odorico et al., 2013). Understanding these adaptive responses is crucial for developing effective conservation and management practices to sustain desert food chains and the broader ecosystem services they provide.

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