Towards the influences of three types of biocrusts on soil water in drylands: Insights from horizontal infiltration and soil water retention

•Biocrusts decrease soil water diffusivity by 24%–71% from dry to wet.•Biocrusts increase soil water content by 8%–53% across whole soil matric potential.•Biocrusts result in 15%–45% higher surface water content than bare soil in the field.•Effects of different biocrusts are ranked in the order of moss > mixed > cyano crusts.•Biocrusts would induce a complex influence on surface soil water balance in drylands.