Biological Crusts in the Soils of Ouargla Region (Algeria)

In Algeria, gypsum soils cover an area of 7,966.3 km², accounting for 3.3% of the country's total land area; studies conducted on these soils have focused much more on soil science than on microbiology. This study is a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the microorganisms living in the surface crusts of several gypsum and saline soils in a Saharan environment (the Ouargla region). Physicochemical analyses show that the soils of Ouargla have a sandy and silty-sandy texture. The studied soils are characterized by: low moisture content, high salinity, and variable gypsum content. The levels of organic matter and total nitrogen in the soil are low. Vegetation cover is sparse and sometimes completely absent. The soils are populated by a diverse microflora adapted to the harsh conditions of the Saharan environment; microbial biomass and germ counts vary from one soil to another. Biological crusts in the Ouargla region are poorly developed due to climatic factors (drought) and biological factors (scarcity and/or absence of vegetation cover).

Pagina's: 88, Paperback, Our Knowledge Publishing