CrustNet is a globally distributed sampling network for biological soil crust (biocrust) ecology. This project implements a standard set of surveys and experiments in diverse biocrust habitats. These surveys and experiments were selected and collaboratively designed by biocrust scientists.

Our work is aimed at understanding:

  1. Determinants of global scale functional biodiversity of biocrusts
  2. Determinants of the variability and shape of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function across ecosystems
  3. Effects of biocrust functional biodiversity on ecosystem resistance and resilience to physical disturbance and climate change
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We connect with scientists around the world to install CrustNet nodes on the ground. Our project takes a tiered approach with basic and low costs surveys making up the base of the project (Tier 1) and then additional add-on experiments with increasing levels of commitment and investment for Tiers 2 & 3. Collaborators who are familiar with the biocrust and plant species of each node are invaluable to the work. We also offer support for species identification through our network of biocrust scientists and crowd-sourcing tools like iNaturalist.

Description
Canadian scientists Katherine Stewart and Diane Haughland and their graduate students meet us in the field for a CrustNet installation at Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Through this work, we hope to inspire scientific and social engagement with biocrust ecology, to answer our scientific questions and stimulate many more, to produce usable tools for future biocrust work including a trait database, and to grow & strengthen the international biocrust network.

Image 1
The field crew hikes to the Lubrecht Experimental Forest CrustNet site on a rainy day carrying materials for installing rainfall reduction shelters.
Image 2
Water infiltration measurement on a permanent biocrust plot at Lubrecht Experimental Forest.
Image 3
USDA scientist, Rory O'Connor, joins the field crew for the CrustNet installation at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range in Oregon, USA.
Image 1
A field crew takes functional measurements on a permanent plot under a rainfall reduction shelter at MPG Ranch in Montana, USA.

Funding

This work is funded by MPG Ranch and the U.S. National Science Foundation (#2350456).