cartes z Socinrtecaceteaeonsae aridas til Nes etn oP Scientific nose Biological soil crust in Peru: first record and description Costra biolégica del suelo en el Perit: primer repotte y descripcién César Arana!*, Toms A. Carlo? & Letty Salinas Depanmenode Fella Moers Nal del Unveil Nace Mayor de Sn Mr Lins Pr "Laboratoio de Fenopy Blogografa de a acu de Ciencias Bigs de a UNMSM. Lima. Pex Deparment of Biolog. The Fenneyiania Se Univer USA. ‘Depatamento de Ornitologa del Museo de Histovia Natura de la UNMSM. Lima, Psi “Conesponding author E-mail cranab@unmsmsspe Received: 20 augue 2015, ‘Accepted: 9 march 2016 ‘ABSTRACT “The presence of biological soil eruts in the Andean and coastal regions is reporced forthe frst time in Peru. Ceusts dominated by cyanobacteria, lichens and/or mosses are described from localities in the coastal desert (Lomas) and inthe high Andean region (Puna). Keywords: Andes, Lomas, Puna, Pacific coastal desert, soil biocrus. RESUMEN Serej andina (Puna) y costera (Lomas) del pais. Estas costras dominadas por cianobacterias,liquenes ylo musgos, son descritas de localidades de la costa desértica (Lomas) y dela regién altoandina ta por primera ver en el Peri la presencia de costras bioldgicas del suelo en las regiones (Pana). Palabras clave: Andes, Lomas, Puna, desierto costero del Pacifico, biocostra del suelo, INTRODUCTION Desert crusts or biological soil crusts (BSC) are key features of earth's arid ecosystems composed of biotic layers of cyanobacteria, bacteria, alge, Fungi, lichens, and bryophytes that cement the loose soil particles of the desert soil (Belnap 8¢ Lange, 2003). BSC oceur in most arid and semi-arid regions ofthe world where account for 2 substantial amount (-70%) of the living cover (Belnap & Lange, 2003). In spite that Peru has about 328,093 km’ of aid and desert lands (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2012), biological crusts have never been described or reported from Peruvian deserts except for indirect references of soil lichen communities in several Andean localities (Ramirez 8 Cano, 2005) and the called “loma de Nostoc" in coastal deserts (Ferreyra, 1953).Biologia soil cus in Per: fis record snd derption “The lack of information on Peruvian BSC’ is an important gap given the key role that desert crusts play on tertesral ecosystems such as soil stabilization, erosion control, nutrient fixation, and as faclieators for the establishment of higher plants in arid environments (Malam eral, 1999; Belnap etal, 2003: Thomas & Dougill,2007; Guo etal, 2008). Arid ecosystems along the Peruvian coast possess a high level of endemism, and ehus i is necessary to understand hhow she occurrence and functional relationships of Peruvian BSC influence species and communities of high conservation value. Here we provide the first report and description of BSC in Peru from localities in the coastal desert (Lomas), and in the high Andean region (Puna). ‘Structure and function of Biological Soil Crusts (BSC) BSC develop on the open ground surfaces of arid environments and play an important role in sustaining life in the world’s dries terrestrial ecosystems (Concostrina-Zubiti et al, 2013). BSC result from an intimate association between soil particles and cyanobacteria, algae, microfungi, lichens, and bryophytes which live within, or immediately on top of, the "uppermost millimeters of the soil (Belnap et al, 2003). Soil particles become aggregated through the presence of polymeric exudates and continuous growth ofthis biota, resulting in a hardy layer on the grounds surface (Belnap et a, 2003). BSC most often occur in areas of| extreme temperatures, high levels of solar radiation, and prolonged dry periods (Belnap et al 2003). BSC have been found worldwide in almost all arid and semiarid microclimates and biomes (Biide, 2003). BSCs contribute to soil carbon and nitrogen fluxes and modulate water infiltration and storage, directly affecting the structure of vascular plant communities and their consumers (Belnap & Lange, 2003). For example, crypcogamic covers that include BSC are estimated to contribute -7 % of the annual global carbon sequestration by terrestrial biota and 40 % of annual biological nitrogen fixation (Elbert eral, 2009; 2012.) Although studies on biological and ccophysiological aspects of BCSs has increased in recent years (Coneostrina-Zubii et al, 2013), there isa huge information vacuum regarding BSCs and their biotic interactions with vascular plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates (Castillo-Monroy 8 Maestre, 2011). Biological soil crust in Peru BSC can be formed in arid and/or cold regions of Peru where vegetation is sparse. Here we report BSC from four sites, two in the high Andean region above 4000 m in the “Puna” around of Huaylly (11°00'S ~76°23'W, annual temperature 3.8°C, precipitation 245.9 mm) in Pasco, and around of Juliaca (15°30'S ~ 70°09°W, annual temperature 9.5°C, precipitation 615.0 mm) in Puno (Figs. 1 a-<). The other two are in the coastal desert of the Pacife within the so-called coastal Lomas, one in “Lomas de Lachay” (11°22'S - 77°22"W, annual temperature 14.9°C, precipitation 210.0 mm) and around of Barranca (10°45'S - 77°40"W, annual temperature 18.9°C, precipitation 4.0 mm) both in Lima (Figs. 1 4). ow fa 1601121192016) -113-Aranactal Biological soil erust in Peruvian Andes “The Peruvian Andes ate one of the most geographically complex environments in the world, swith areas of great altiudinal variation and extreme humidity differences, forming a varied mosaic of different landscapes. Icis in the aa considered as “Puna’, dstribuced becween 3300 and 4500 m altitude, where conditions for the development of BSC are presented. In the ‘Puna” che low temperacures and the long dry season determine che development of scatered vegetation in most of the area, being characteristic the grasslands. Another area of particular importance is present around the high mouneain areas, below the snow line, where the rocks make micro environments occupied by a particular flora, On bare soil between the sparse ‘vegetation and rocks the BSC is established (Fig 12). though different cypes of BSC have a complex distibucion pattern in the landscape of the Puna’, iis observed that in general BSC are dominated by lichens in the drier areas around 1cks and stones (Fig. 1b), while mosses dominate the cover in we of grasses (Fig. 10) Biological soil crust im coastal Peruvian “Lomas” The Peruvian desere isa narrow hyper-arid band confined to the coast tha extends 2,000 km (6'-18°S) and covers about 9.4% of Peru (120,651 kan). Biodiversity hosspocs with a high percentage of endemic species that specialized on extreme aridity are common throughout this vast desert fringe (Rundel etal, 1990, Arana & Salinas, 2007). The coastal landscape is dominated by allavial fats, but areas with small mountains condente the winter sea fog, providing moisture and supporting seasonal plane communities called “Lomas” (Rundel er al, 1990; Arana &¢ Salinas, 2007). We have recorded the extensive occurrence of BSCS in these ecosystems (Fig, 1d). In Lomas ecosystems, humidity increases with clevation, creating a gradient chat strongly influences the characteristics and composition of BSCs (annual temperature 17°C and precipitation 100 mm). From 150-350 m above sea level a BSC dominated by cyanobacteria first appears (Figs. 1 e and f). From 350-400 m lichens become the dominant cover (Fig, Ig). [Above 400 m in Lachay, BSCs ate dominated by mosses (Fig. 1), but noting that areas with dense scrublands lack BSC. Nevertheless, variability in the relationship between clevation and BSC type should be expected among diferent Lomas sites. This is because factors such a aspect, slope and distance to the ocean can create different humidity valucs on different Lomas sites. Perspectives for future BSC research in Peru Although many BSC from subtropical to Polar Regions have been described in recent decades (Belnap & Lange, 2003; Tirk & Gartner, 2003; Biidel, 2005; Karsten & Holzinger, 2014) lie is known of tropical BSCs. It is remarkable that in Peru there are no previous studies on the BSC, ‘Ibus, BSC studies ranging from basic structural and taxonomic characterization, distibutional ranges, nutrient fluxes, and interactions with higher taxa are warranted, BSCs have been reported co be “ecosystem engineers” in ocher arid regions with imporeant roles in primary productivity, nitrogen and carbon cycling, mineralization, water retention, <114- Zonas Ades 16 11219 2016)cord and description Biological soleus in Per: fis and stabilization of wil (Evans & Johansen, 1999; Reynolds eral, 2001; Lewis, 2007; Karsten & Holzinger, 2014). Ie is likely that much of Peru’s ard and semiarid ecosystems and their high endemism depend directly or indieccely on the presence of BS For example, a recent seview shows that BSCs contribute to fixing about 7% the carbon and 46% of the nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystems (Elbert etal, 2012). But in large ares like the Peruvian high Andes and the coastal deserts, che contribution of BSCS to carbon and nitrogen fluxes is not known yet. It is also important to conduct studies addressing the relationships berween higher plants and animals, and how BSC structure and function relates to plant and animal community diversity and structure. The unique characteristics of the Peruvian coastal desert and high Andes biomes makes i difficult o extrapolate knowledge from other systems, creating a stong need for local field studies ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “This work was partially supported by the Vicerectorado de Investigacién of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. The authors thank the staff of the Reserva Nacional Lomas de Lachay especially the heads ofthe protected area Dilmar Claros, Miguel Antonio and David Orosco. Special thanks tothe members ofthe departments of Ecology and Ornithology of the Natural History Museum of San Marcos for their help with feld work, and museum director erty Millan for suppor REFERENCES Arana, C. & L. Salinas. 2007. Fragilidad de los ecosistemas de Lomas costeras del Pert central, Dilloniana 5(1):32-35, Belnap, J. & O.L. Lange (eds.) 2003, Biological soil crust: Structure, function, and management. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Belnap, J., B. Bidel & O.L. Lange, 2003. Biological soil crusts: Characteristics and distribution. In: Belnap, J. 8 O.L. Lange (Eds.) Biological sil erusts: Structure, function, and ‘management. 3-30. Springet-Verlgg, Berlin, Bide, B. 2003. Synopsis: Comparative biogeography and ecology of soil erust biota. In Belnap, J. & O.L. Lange (Eds): Biological soil crusts: Sructure, function, and management 141-152. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Biidel, B. 2005. Microorganisms of biological crusts on soil surface In: Buscot F 8 A. 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Biological soil crusts in the subalpine, alpine, and nival areas, in the Alps. In: Belnap J. 8¢ O.L. Lange (Eds): Biological soil crass: Structure, fonction and ‘management. 67-73. Springer-Verlag, Berlin “116- Zonas Ades 16 11219 2016)cord and description Biological soleus in Per: fis ecu Figure 1. (a) Andean landscape where BSC develop among tussocks of grasses, (b) Andean BSC dominated by mosses, (c) Andean BSC with dominated by lichens, (d) Coastal Lomas landscape with BSC visible as an widespread dark layer on the soil, (<) Vertical profile and (6) top view of coastal BSC with cyanobacterial dominance, (g) Top view and (h) vertical profile of coastal BSC with lichen dominance, and () coastal mixed BSC of cyanobacteria and lichens, () coastal BSC dominated by mosses. oom Kis 15): 12-19 2016 -17-Aranactal Figure 2. Map of distibution of BSC in South “America (afer Buide! 2003). -118- Zonas Aide 1611219 (2016)Biologia soil cus in Per: fis record snd derption Figure 3. Map of areas with potential presence of BSC in Peru (back areas with reports of fel, gray areas with suspect of sparse presence). oom Kis 15): 12-19 2016 -119-