Development and calibration of a novel sensor to quantify thewater content of…

1. The surface layer of soil as transition zone between pedosphere and atmosphere plays a crucial role in exchange processes of nutrients, atmospheric gases and water. Knowledge of its water content is essential, as it governs both physiological and transport mechanisms. In arid and semi-arid regions, this uppermost soil layer is commonly colonized by biological soil crusts (biocrusts), whic…