Cyanobacteria in biological soil crusts, Earth´s Most Extensive Biofilms: adaptation and sensitivity to global warming

School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ, USA

<p>[EN] Biological soil crusts from arid lands are extensive but little known microbial ecosystems where primary productivity is driven by cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and mosses, and which are subject to a variety of environmental extremes. I will review the basic ecology of cyanobacteria in biocrusts, focusing then on an evaluation of adaptive strategies that allow them to thrive. I will also review recent results that imply that these communities are sensitive to predicted changes in temperature driven by global change.</p>