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How Can We Stabilize Soil Using Microbial Communities and Mitigate Desertification?

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  • Faten Dhawi

    (Agricultural Biotechnology Department, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

The desert, which covers around one-third of Earth’s continental surface, is defined as the harshest terrestrial environment and comprises a highly extensive biome of the terrestrial ecosystem. Microorganisms are key drivers that maintain the integrity of desert terrestrial ecosystems. Over the past few decades, desertification has increased owing to changes in rainfall patterns and global warming, characterized by land degradation, loss of microbial diversity (biocrust diversity), and multifunctionality with time. Soil stabilization is a geotechnical modality that improves the physiochemical properties of the soil. Biological modality is an emerging method that attracts the scientific community for soil stabilization. Enriching the soil with microorganisms such as some bacteria geniuses ( Cystobacter, Archangium, Polyangium, Myxococcus, Stigmatella and Sorangium, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Proteus, Micrococcus, and Pseudom) or Cyanobacteria ( Oscillatoria pseudogeminata, Chroococcus minutus, Phormidium Tenue, and Nostoc species ) , and Lichens (Collema sps., Stellarangia sps., and Buellia species ) might contribute to stabilizing the soil and mitigating desertification. In this timeline review article, we summarize the biological method of soil stabilization, especially focusing on the role of microorganisms in soil stabilization in the desert.

Suggested Citation

  • Faten Dhawi, 2023. "How Can We Stabilize Soil Using Microbial Communities and Mitigate Desertification?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:1:p:863-:d:1023936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jianping Huang & Haipeng Yu & Xiaodan Guan & Guoyin Wang & Ruixia Guo, 2016. "Accelerated dryland expansion under climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(2), pages 166-171, February.
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