🌿New paper out — and this time, not in peatlands! 🌿
Our study in the Can. J. Microbiology explores microbial succession under #biocrusts in abandoned and rehabilitated mine tailings in the boreal forest
🔑 takeaway: bacterial communities are strong indicators of ecological recovery
h1.nu/1peN4
🌱 Interested in #biocrusts & cryptogamic/microbial communities?
Join us at our session at @EGU General Assembly!
📅 Abstract deadline: 15 Jan 2026
👉 meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio...
👥 Co-conveners: Maier, S | Weber, B | dagmarwoebken.bsky.social | Garcia-Pichel, F | @rce959.bsky.social
On the hunt for #biocrusts driving across beautiful Sardinia! Happy to report the #MossCyanoTeam was successful!
Back from 10 days in the #Nunavik #tundra 🌬️🌿
Studying dust deposition impacts on microbial #biocrusts with my MSc student Ariane Fortin, and testing Rough & Loose #restoration on a mined esker 💥🌱
We were very happy to be actively participating in the Symposium on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology, with great talks from Stefanie, Minsu, and Bettina.
#BAGECO2025 #ScienceTalks #Biocrusts
Hi, Bluesky!
I am an Assistant Professor at Colorado State University.
based in #FortCollins, CO studying #drylands and #restoration with a focus on #plantecology, #biocrusts, #functionaltraits, and #rangelandecology.
I'm excited to connect about science here!
#Biocrusts are vital to dryland health—but can they recover after being disturbed? 🤔A new review in @botsocamerica.bsky.social #AmJBot by @michalaphillips.bsky.social & al explores biocrust recovery timelines, climate impacts & restoration potential bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Figure showing the number (sizes) and distribution along global mountain regions of scientific publications that focus on alpine soil biodiversity.
(3/4) 🌍 Most publications came from Central Europe (#EuropeanAlps) & Central Asia (#TibetanPlateau).
The research focus on each global mountain region differed: an alpine #SoilFauna research hub is found in Central Europe, for #Biocrusts also in Northern Europe, and for microbiota in Central Asia.
Key takeaways from this review:
📚 We need more taxonomic training & education in biocrust science.
🌱 Future: species trait frameworks, an international society, and a global monitoring network.
The biocrust revolution is just beginning! #Biocrusts #Ecology #ClimateChange
🔥 Climate stress and human activity degrade drylands worldwide.
🦠 Research suggests healthy biocrusts suppress soil-borne pathogens.
💡 Restoring biocrusts supports soil, reduces dust, and protects public health.
#Biocrusts #GeoHealth #ClimateAdaptation
DOI: doi.org/10.1029/2024...
Field work + dust storm = trauma bonding 🥲🫂 and lichens! 🤩🤗
#Chihuahuan #Desert #biocrusts #dryland #microbes
With the next field work, we’re excited to return to this stunning alpine environment - a breath-taking but challenging place to work.
Stay tuned for updates, and feel free to reach out with questions! 👇
#Science #Ecology #ClimateChange #AlpineResearch #Biocrusts #Alps #PhDLife
Big congratulations to all @voltcenter.bsky.social who secured one of these! Amazingly done!! New research on #MarineVOCs, #LakeVOCs and #Nitrogen cycling featuring some of my favourite organisms, #Mosses, #Cyanobacteria, #BioCrusts! #NitrogenFixation #Symbiosis #NewParadigms
Biological soil crusts are incredible soil stabilizers, creating complex structures when intertwined with sand particles. Nature’s engineering at its finest! #Biocrusts #SoilStabilization #Drylands
Spotted: Stunning hoar frost crystals crowning the biocrust! With these persistently wet conditions, there’s likely significant CO2 uptake happening within these photosynthetic primary producers 🌿✨ #Biocrusts #Ecology #Drylands
🌱On the blog: Part III by our 2024 Eminent Ecologist!
@ftmaestre.bsky.social demonstrates how #biocrusts can be used to test broad ecological theories, provide novel insights on heavily studied topics, & show their value in setting up complex experiments:
jecologyblog.com/2024/11/20/%...
#Microsky
Exciting seminar series hosted by
The Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative, featuring #biocrusts
Online #OpenAccess
We're having a blast with our guest Nicole Pietrasiak from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas looking at thin sections and CT scans and measuring water repellency of #biocrusts. Can't wait for her seminar talk tomorrow 😊
Interesting. What about #biocrusts ? Unfortunately I can't get the full text of this one but they seem to focus on eukaryotic algae. I expect free-living cyanobacteria in soil-surface microbial communities (functionally similar to lichen) existed long before vascular plants https://t.co/f1oD7cTbsN
