Arid Dune Ecosystems

Sand dune dynamics plays a key role in many arid deserts. This volume provides a synthesis of a specific sand dune ecosystem, the Nizzana site in the Negev Desert. Describing its climate and geophysical/geochemical properties of soils, geological history, flora and fauna, and past/present land-use patterns, it elucidates ecological and geomorphological processes and their interrelations, based on long-term monitoring, in situ experiments and satellite imagery. Particular attention is drawn to the impact of the topsoil biological crust in controlling water availability at local/regional scales. The interdisciplinary approach adopted in this case study offers a good example of a highly complex and dynamic system, which could easily be applied to other sandy ecosystems.§This is a valuable source of information for soil ecologists and microbiologists, conservation biologists, desert ecologists and geographers, geomorphologists, soil scientists and climatologists, lecturers, policy makers and others interested in deserts and desertification.Sand dune dynamics play a key role in many arid deserts. This volume provides a thorough analysis of a specific sand dune ecosystem, the Nizzana site in the Middle East s Negev Desert. Describing its climate, as well as its geophysical/geochemical soil properties and ecology, this brilliant work draws out the relationships between the site s ecological and geomorphological processes, based on long-term monitoring, in situ experiments and satellite imagery.