A short summary of the implications associated with each measurement is as follows:
Bare ground: more bare ground implies that the soil is eroding at a faster rate. Soil erosion may affect the ability of the soil to store water and nutrients, which ultimately impacts plant and animal communities.
Cryptobiotic crust: this crust shields the soil beneath it from erosion and provides Nitrogen for plants. Thus, cryptobiotic crust helps maintain the composition of the soil while adding nutrients to it.
Prickly pear cactus: a sub-shrub that is an important food source for some animals.
Litter: not including what is found in shaded parts of the quadrat, examples of litter are dead leaves, uprooted branches, and animal waste. Decomposition of litter can provide nutrients to the surrounding plants.
Trees and shrubs: the trees and shrubs found in this desert environment tend to grow slowly, are sensitive to changes in the amounts of water and nutrients, provide shelter, are food for animals, and are slow to recover when damaged.
Native and invasive grasses: ideally, we want to be seeing more native than invasive grasses. Invasive grasses, such as cheatgrass, may not have the same natural enemies and could have a higher tolerance to arid environments, ultimately displacing native grasses.
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