title: Ecology and functional roles of biological soil crusts in semi-arid ecosystems of Spain.
abstract: Biological soil crusts (BSCs), composed of lichens, cyanobacteria, mosses, liverworts and microorganisms, are key biotic components of arid and semi-arid ecosystems worldwide. Despite they are widespread in Spain, these organisms have been historically understudied in this country. This trend is beginning to change as a recent wave of research has been identifying BSCs as a model ecological system. Many studies and research projects carried out in Spain have explored the role of BSCs on water, carbon and nitrogen fluxes, the interactions between BSCs and vascular plants, their dynamics after disturbances, and their response to global change, among other topics. In this article we review the growing body of research on BSCs available from semi-arid areas of Spain, highlighting its importance for increasing our knowledge on this group of organisms. We also discuss how it is breaking new ground in emerging research areas on the ecology of BSCs, and how it can be use to guide management and restoration efforts. Finally, we provide directions for future research on the ecology of BSCs in Spain and abroad.
authors.affiliation: Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Maestre
authors.affiliation: Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bowker
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano S/N, 04120, Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cantón
authors.affiliation: Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain.
authors.forename: Andrea P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Castillo-Monroy
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecología and IMEM, Universidad de Alicante, Apartado de correos 99, 03080 Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cortina
authors.affiliation: Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Escolar
authors.affiliation: Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain.
authors.forename: Adrián
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escudero
authors.affiliation: Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, CSIC, Carretera de sacramento, S/N; La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lázaro
authors.affiliation: Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martínez
keywords: Biotic interactions; Hydrological processes; Mediterranean; Nutrient cycling; Restoration; Semi-arid