Drylands are areas under continuous degradation and desertification frequently covered by cyanobacterial biocrusts. Several studies have indicated that soil microorganisms contribute to nutrient cycling. Nevertheless, little is still known about how those could potentially be participating according to their taxonomic groups. In addition, biocrust-associated communities still remain largely unexplored at taxonomic and functional levels and, therefore, biotechnologically underexploited in comparison with other terrestrial ecosystems. This work aimed at revealing the ecological and biotechnological potential of soil communities using a shotgun sequencing approach in cyanobacterial-colonised biocrusts in the Tabernas Desert regarding the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, sulfur, and potassium. The abundance and successful adaptation of major groups Rubrobacter and Conexibacter was explained by the presence of metabolic diversity regarding glycolytic and CO2 fixation pathways but also by exhibiting a rich pool of hydrolytic enzymes. Besides, Rubrobacter representatives might potentially be driving sulfate mineralisation. Others, such as Caulobacter representatives, were also suggested to have a potential key role in K+ uptake. Furthermore, iron uptake was found to potentially be mediated via synthesis and release of siderophores, mostly derived from pseudomonads. Importantly, this work revealed a meaningful biotechnological niche in which the recovery of novel isolates is a very desirable step forward for the industry and a step forward in unwrapping the potential role of those microorganisms in soil restoration as well as in the functioning of arid soils as CO2 sinks. •Rubrobacter and Conexibacter members present a rich pool of hydrolytic enzymes.•Major groups Rubrobacter and Conexibacter exhibit Calvon-Benson-Basshan cycle.•Rubrobacter representatives might be driving sulfate mineralisation.•Caulobacter representatives are suggested to have a potential key role in K+ uptake.•Conexibacter, Rubrobacter and Caulobacter isolates would be desirable for industry.