Technical Note: Physical and chemical comparisons between microphytic and non-microphytic soil seedbeds

In arid and semi-arid climates, the physical and chemical nature of the soi l seedbed greatly effects success or failure of plant recruitment. We hypot hesized that the presence or absence of microphytic soil crusts may influen ce the character of soil seedbeds. To test this hypothesis, we compared che mical and physical attributes of the soil seedbed (0-6 cm) between adjacent areas of well-expressed microphytic soil crusts and non-microphytic soil s urfaces for 2 sites on granitic alluvial fans in northwestern Nevada. As co mpared with non-microphytic areas, microphytic soil seedbeds were finer-tex tured and contained more DTPA-extractable Mn, Cu, and Zn, Further research should examine in greater detail the role of microphytic soil surfaces in e olian dust entrapment, its relationship to nutrient deposition, and the int eraction with seed recruitment.