Biocrust and soil quality in semi-arid zones: a strategy in the face of climate change and desertification

The presence of biocrust (BSC) is associated with greater carbon input and nutrient availability; it is an indicator of the stability of global semi-arid ecosystems, as it is linked to the maintenance of the physical, chemical, and biological quality of the soil. Despite its importance in these ecosystems, its distribution has been threatened by anthropogenic intervention and climate change, which increase the risks of land degradation and desertification. The systematic review conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and based on 42 studies retrieved from OpenAlex (2006–2026), examines therefore reviews research conducted in arid zones from various regions of the world, with emphasis on deserts in North America, Asia, South America, Africa. This review conducted in arid zones from various regions of the world, have demonstrated the role of the crust in the mineralization of organic matter, nitrogen fixation, P solubilization, greater biological activity, and nutrient accumulation, as well as the factors affecting its distribution in these ecosystems. This review also describes the impact that BSC has had on changes in soil quality in arid and semi-arid zones, finding that in areas where BSC predominates, better soil quality is observed. It is therefore concluded that its preservation is associated with soil stability, and that the success of its inoculation in degraded soils could be an efficient biofertilizer or soil bioremediation practice.