| This study explores the physical, chemical and microclimatological properties of soils along a 190 m long high arctic glacier foreland and adjacent moraine, in relation to the development of biological soil crusts. We examine various edaphic properties (soil temperature, volumetric water content, water potential, organic carbon content, texture, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium) in surface (<1 cm deep) and soil (5 cm deep) cores with and without a cover of biological soil crust as well as changes in crust development following deglaciation. Soil crusts developed rapidly following deglaciation and an accumulation of nitrogen and organic carbon in the soil surface coincided with peaks in crust cover and thickness following deglaciation. Volumetric water content, nitrogen, potassium, organic carbon, silt and pH were generally higher in the <1 cm cores than 5 cm cores yet varied in concentration with distance from the glacier. Crusted surfaces had significantly higher volumetric water content, organic carbon and a greater silt and clay fraction as well as lower bulk density, water potential and temperature compared to encrusted soils. Comparisons with soils from analogous high arctic sites revealed high nutrient concentrations. A steady supply of water from glacier melt promoted rapid development of biological soil crusts, producing an edaphic environment with enhanced moisture and nutrient properties which likely led to the high rate of vascular plant succession previously observed on this foreland. |
