Sand dunes are one of the most abundant aeolian landforms and play an important role in
understanding how aeolian environments evolve. Since the 1970s, remote sensing has …

Biocrusts exert a strong influence on hydrological processes in drylands by modifying
numerous soil properties that affect water retention and movement in soils. Yet, their role in …

Photoautotrophic surface communities forming biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are crucial
for soil stability as well as water, nutrient and trace gas cycling at regional and global scales …

Dryland ecosystems usually show low productivity, considerable water losses and land
degradation problems associated with soil erosion. Most bare-looking areas in these …

In the face of rapid global change it is imperative to preserve geodiversity for the overall
conservation of biodiversity. Geodiversity is important for understanding complex …

Dunes are among the most abundant aeolian landforms found on Earth and other planets.
The automatic mapping of dunes over large-scale areas is crucial for predicting, monitoring …

Multi-temporal remote sensing information and spectral indices have been extensively used
in studies to monitor ecosystem functioning and surface-energy budgets. However, most of …

Accurate mapping of vegetation is a premise for conserving, managing, and sustainably
using vegetation resources, especially in conditions of intensive human activities and …

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are communities of cyanobacteria, algae, microfungi,
lichens and bryophytes in varying proportions, which live within or immediately on top of the …

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are thin microbiological vegetation layers that naturally develop
in unfavorable higher plant conditions (ie, low precipitation rates and high temperatures) in …