Biotic and abiotic composition of biological soil crusts in grassland and tarbush ecosystems at the Jornada Basin LTER site, 2017-2018

This data package contains data on biotic and abiotic composition of biological soil crusts at grassland and shrubland sites at the Jornada Basin LTER site. Biological soil crusts (BSCs) of three types, cyanolichen, dark algal, and light algal, were collected during the summer 2017, fall 2017, and spring 2018 seasons to discern differences between two vegetation states (grass and tarbush). A total of 51 biocrusts were collected from 3 tarbush sites and 3 grass sites. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis was used to characterize the microfloral community, while a modified extraction method was employed to observe direct counts of microfauna (multicellular microbes and protists). Soil chemical analysis was also used to obtain nutrient concentrations of each biocrust. Data include microfauna counts, microflora biomass, and soil nutrient composition. This study is complete.